VP Harris’ Campaign Reported To Be Vetting Gov. Shapiro, Others For Running Mate

As the general election draws closer and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago approaches, speculation is mounting over whether Gov. Josh Shapiro will be selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate.

The fast-moving political landscape shifted dramatically on Sunday afternoon when President Joe Biden abruptly announced he would not seek reelection. The move set up a contest between Harris and former President Donald Trump, who has chosen U.S. Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential candidate.

On Monday evening, the Wall Street Journal reported that several potential vice-presidential candidates had been contacted for vetting materials. Among the names mentioned were Shapiro; Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona; North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker; and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was previously mentioned in reports, but he told CNN he had not been asked to submit vetting materials.

Shapiro confirmed in a statement that he had spoken with Biden and Harris following the President’s announcement and had endorsed Harris’ presidential bid.

During an event in Western Pennsylvania on Monday, Shapiro faced numerous questions from reporters regarding his potential candidacy as Harris’ running mate.

“That’s a deeply personal decision and a decision that should be made really free from any political pressure. It’s a decision she needs to make who she wants to govern with, who she wants to campaign with, and who can be there to serve alongside her when she serves as, God willing, the 47th President of the United States. She will make that decision when she is ready,” he said. “I have all the confidence in the world that she will make that decision along with many others –  in the best interests of the American people.”

Shapiro pointed to his primary focus remains on defeating Trump in the upcoming election.

“And so the conversations I’ve had with the Vice President are all about one thing and one thing only, how do we defeat Donald Trump? How do we protect our freedom? And how do we make Pennsylvania – which was the epicenter of the creation of our democracy, the epicenter of our politics today. How do we make sure that Pennsylvania elects Kamala Harris to be our next president?” the governor said.

Noting concerns from Pennsylvanians about the country’s future if Trump were to win, Shapiro stressed the importance of protecting democracy.

Hailing from Montgomery County, Shapiro has built a reputation as a rising star within the Democratic Party, with a history of winning elections and bipartisan earning support. His tenure as governor, now in its second year, followed a strong victory over Trump-endorsed State Sen. Doug Mastriano.

In the governor’s race, Shapiro’s platform has focused on freedom and individual decision-making, including on abortion rights, and he has not shied away from criticizing Trump at times.

Shapiro, who is Jewish and 51, recently said the former president should “stop s**t-talking America.”

WHYY News spoke with a number of Democratic and Republican officials about Shapiro and whether he could be Harris’ running mate. Most gave Shapiro positive marks.

Following Biden’s announcement and endorsement of Harris, her campaign reported a record-setting $81 million raised within 24 hours and said it was fueled by contributions from 888,000 grassroots donors, including over 500,000 first-time contributors for the 2024 campaign cycle.

Future Forward, a liberal super PAC, announced $150 million in funding commitments in the wake of Biden’s decision.

Harris made her first stop Monday afternoon as a presidential candidate to the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.