Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's path to prominence started in Montgomery County


Published: 4 months ago

Updated: 4 months ago

Reading time: 3 minutes

With President Biden dropping out of the race, there's growing speculation that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro could be a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris.

There is increasing speculation that Pennsylvania's Governor, Josh Shapiro, could be a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. Shapiro is one of several Democratic governors being considered for the vice president's position, and his recent activities have put him in the national spotlight.

Just nine days ago, Shapiro joined Harris for a Thai takeout meal at Reading Terminal Market after her town hall event in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is considered a crucial battleground state with 19 electoral votes, making Shapiro's presence in the state all the more significant.

Shapiro, 51, is currently serving his first term as Pennsylvania's 48th governor. He has quickly risen to become a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, receiving praise for his swift response to the I-95 bridge collapse and the capture of escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante. Shapiro has also been actively involved in press briefings regarding the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Hailing from Abington, Montgomery County, Shapiro began his political career as a state representative in Harrisburg before becoming Chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County. In 2016, he was elected as Pennsylvania's attorney general, gaining national recognition for exposing child sex abuse cover-ups by the Catholic church in the state. During his investigation, he identified hundreds of predator priests and thousands of victims.

Shapiro was sworn in for a second term as attorney general in 2021 and was elected governor the following year. He won a decisive victory over Republican Doug Mastriano, receiving 56% of the vote and becoming the highest vote-getter in Pennsylvania gubernatorial history, with over 3 million votes.

Known as a moderate Democrat, Shapiro campaigned on key issues such as protecting LGBTQ and reproductive rights. While many believe he has aspirations for Washington, Shapiro has denied such intentions. In an exclusive interview with CBS News Philadelphia in May, he affirmed his commitment to being governor and serving the people of Pennsylvania for the long term.

However, just hours after President Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday, Shapiro endorsed Harris for president, highlighting their decades-long relationship and her readiness to lead the nation. On Monday, at an event in Pittsburgh, Shapiro reiterated his support for Harris but evaded questions about joining her ticket, emphasizing his focus on defeating Donald Trump and protecting the rights of Pennsylvanians.

Governor Josh Shapiro's growing prominence in Pennsylvania and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris have fueled speculation about his potential vice-presidential candidacy. His moderate stance and successful record in the state make him a compelling choice, and many will be watching his next moves closely as the Democratic nomination process unfolds.


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