Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, is facing growing opposition from progressives, even as his reputation rises in the dispute over Harris’s vice presidential nomination.
They are raising alarm about his past stance on education vouchers and say his stance on the war between Israel and Hamas could highlight a divide within the Democratic Party that could impact the November election if Vice President Harris chooses him as her running mate.
Democrats backing Shapiro point to his popularity, his track record at the state level and the overall importance of Pennsylvania in the election. Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes and is part of the so-called “Blue Wall” that is considered crucial for Democrats.
But that hasn’t stopped progressives from stepping up their criticism of the governor this week.
One Letter signed by nearly 50 progressive leaders pointed to Shapiro’s “shortcomings as a national candidate” and urged the vice president to consider Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) instead.
“Given the tight timeline we face to defeat the Trump-Vance-MAGA threat, we simply cannot afford to back down,” the letter said.
A letter from another progressive group called VP Unity said Harris’ consideration of Shapiro had “raised alarm bells” among youthful voters, Muslims, Arab Americans and activists.
Some progressive critics of Shapiro say his response to the pro-Palestinian protests in Pennsylvania, which they called “heavy-handed,” could have a more negative impact on Harris and Shapiro’s ticket than his views on the war between Israel and Hamas in general.
The governor has been a vocal supporter of Israel in the months since the October 7 attacks, but has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Shapiro’s allies are resisting.
“Throughout his career, and especially in recent months, Governor Shapiro – who has close personal relationships with leaders of Muslim, Arab American, Palestinian, Christian and Jewish communities – has brought people together, listened to them and worked with them to keep our communities safe and heard,” Shapiro’s spokesman Manuel Bonder told The Hill.
Other Democrats accuse the progressives of splitting the Democratic coalition, particularly criticizing the fact that Shapiro, who is of Jewish descent, has to bear the brunt of criticism because of his Israel issue.
They say Shapiro is extremely progressive on countless other issues, and none of those concerns would stop Democrats from voting for Harris over former President Trump.
“[Pennsylvania voters] “They like the fact that he is extremely competent. He gets things done and he gets things done the right way,” former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said in an interview. “They believe he is someone who understands his role as vice president and would be a tremendous support to the president.”
“I think he would be an asset to the ballot. He would make a difference here in Pennsylvania,” Rendell continued, saying it would be a “calculated risk” for the Harris campaign to go in a different direction in selecting its vice presidential candidate. “I’m not sure we’re not going to end up doing so well here that we need him on the ballot to win. That could happen, and that’s a consideration for the Harris team.”
Another issue for which Shapiro has been criticized is his past support for a Republican-led program that would have provided families with $100 million in school vouchers to pay for private school tuition. Shapiro later backed away from that program, but some Democrats say it could still be his undoing.
In response, Shapiro’s allies are pointing to the recent support he has received from teachers unions. More than 50 local unions, including the American Federation of Teachers and the Pennsylvania State Education Association, signed a letter over the weekend supporting Shapiro. Shapiro’s team also pointed to his efforts to escalate funding for public education while working with a divided legislature.
In addition to the criticism Shapiro has received from progressive circles on the two policy issues, a scandal has resurfaced involving a Shapiro aide who abruptly resigned last year amid allegations of sexual harassment. Erin McClelland, a Democratic candidate for state treasurer, alluded to a number of criticisms of Shapiro. in one post on social media platform X this week, saying she wants a vice presidential candidate “who doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug.”
And outside progressive circles, some Democrats in Pennsylvania fear that Shapiro has not fought enough political battles in his career to effectively counter Republican attacks at the national level.
“He’s never been hit,” said one Pennsylvania Democratic official, noting that aside from his successful run for attorney general in 2016, he has faced few hard electoral challenges, most notably his landslide gubernatorial victory over Republican Senator Doug Mastriano, a Trump-backed election denier who was widely viewed as uncompetitive.
However, the same agent quickly argued that in many ways Shapiro was straight off the central casting list for the role of vice president.
“Josh is always on top of things,” the agent said, adding that this also reflects his image, pointing out that when he’s not wearing a suit, he’s wearing a polo shirt with the Commonwealth seal. “Very articulate, very cultured, very well groomed and well written. He fits this type of position.”
And the agent said progressives’ concerns are precisely why Harris, a candidate from California who sits inside the Beltway area, would benefit from having Shapiro on her ticket.
“You need someone to go to State College or southwest Pennsylvania. You need someone to show up and go there. Help there,” they said, adding that it would complement Harris’ ability to garner support in Philadelphia, the longtime Democratic stronghold that fueled her previous victories. “The crap that doesn’t do him any good with progressives is exactly what you want him to talk about in southwest Pennsylvania or Michigan.”
In recent days, speculation about Shapiro’s possible election has increased after it was announced that Harris will appear with her running mate at their first joint rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday – a day after the expected announcement of her choice.
Some Republicans would be shocked and baffled if Harris did not cooperate with Shapiro. One GOP strategist with ties to Pennsylvania noted that Shapiro’s approval ratings are by far the highest of any Democratic governor in recent history. A Fox News poll released last week showed Shapiro with an approval rating of 61 percent.
According to Franklin & Marshall College survey According to a poll released in April, 54 percent of registered voters said he was doing a “good” or “excellent” job – the highest approval rating for a Pennsylvania governor at this point in his first term since Tom Ridge (R) in 1996.
“He’s good on TV, has a decent political base in a key place and can raise money. The only reason you wouldn’t pick him is because of some policy difference or personality clash,” a GOP operative with Pennsylvania ties told The Hill. “If she doesn’t pick Josh Shapiro on paper, something has gone wrong.”
“Why wouldn’t you choose him? I haven’t heard a good argument for anyone else,” they said.
