Pa. Dems urge VP Harris to pick Gov. Josh Shapiro as running mate

Shapiro has been the governor for less than two years, but in that short time, he has been tested by a series of crises that garnered him national attention. Just a month after taking office last January 2023, a train derailment in bordering East Palestine, Ohio, forced the evacuation of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Last June, a heavily trafficked segment of I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed but was repaired in less than two weeks. Most recently, he was lauded for his response to the shooting in Butler.

Shapiro also has a reputation as a skilled and pragmatic legislator willing to compromise when necessary. He is one of the most popular politicians among Pennsylvania voters, with a favorability rating of up to 60%.

“He’s one of the most liked governors of all time, and his policies are pretty down the middle,” State Rep. Danilo Burgos of North Philly told WHYY News. “And that’s what Americans are calling for, is to make America the leader that it once was.”

While Republicans say they believe Donald Trump will beat Harris regardless of who she picks as VP, many still express respect for the governor.

“Josh is a very talented, smart politician and a longtime friend,” RNC delegate Jeff Bartos of Montgomery County told WHYY News. “But no matter who they put on the ticket, the Democrats are going to have the Biden-Harris agendas. They’re going to have to answer for that, whether it’s inflation, whether it’s the border crisis, whether it’s crime, whether it’s war on energy … There’s just no way for the Democrats to win Pennsylvania.”