Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, is a leading contender to be named Kamala Harris‘s running mate in the upcoming US presidential election, with a decision expected in the next few days.
A former congressional aide who became a state representative and state attorney general, the 51-year-old father of four was elected governor in 2022.
Nearly two years later, he maintains historically high approval ratings, including notable support from Republicans.His approval ratings surpass those of both Harris and the GOP ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance.
In 2020, Pennsylvania’s declaration of victory confirmed Joe Biden’s election win over Donald Trump. In 2024, the state remains a critical presidential battleground.
Kamala Harris will hold her first event with her vice-presidential pick in Philadelphia, the state’s largest city on Tuesday. This move has done little to quell speculation that Shapiro might be the chosen candidate.
Shapiro’s early life
Shapiro was born in Missouri but raised in Philadelphia. His father was a pediatrician and his mother an educator.
He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rochester and later pursued a law degree at Georgetown University.
Political journey
Shapiro began his political career as a state representative for Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County from 2005 to 2011. He then served as the chair of the Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County from 2011 to 2017.
He has also served as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2023, before becoming the state’s governor. In 2022, he won the gubernatorial race against Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate backed by former President Donald Trump.
‘A valued member of Democratic coalition’
Some progressives are expressing concern. In an open letter this week, around 50 leaders of national progressive groups warned that the imperative to “defeat the Trump-Vance-MAGA threat” means Democrats “simply cannot afford any setbacks” leading up to November. They argued that selecting Shapiro would constitute such a setback.
While they acknowledged Shapiro as “a valued member of the Democratic coalition,” they criticised him for having “made too many controversial policy decisions on issues such as school choice and the environment” to serve as the consensus voice needed at this critical moment.
Criticism of Netanyahu with support for Israel’s defence
Shapiro has embraced his Jewish identity and become a prominent defender of Israel within the Democratic Party amid its divisions over the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, Shapiro has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the attacks on Gaza and other Palestinian territories, calling Netanyahu “one of the worst leaders of all time,” while still affirming Israel’s right to self-defense.
On the domestic front, Shapiro has condemned alleged antisemitism among anti-Israel protesters and implemented measures that progressives argue are aimed at limiting pro-Palestinian voices, particularly on college campuses.
A former congressional aide who became a state representative and state attorney general, the 51-year-old father of four was elected governor in 2022.
Nearly two years later, he maintains historically high approval ratings, including notable support from Republicans.His approval ratings surpass those of both Harris and the GOP ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance.
In 2020, Pennsylvania’s declaration of victory confirmed Joe Biden’s election win over Donald Trump. In 2024, the state remains a critical presidential battleground.
Kamala Harris will hold her first event with her vice-presidential pick in Philadelphia, the state’s largest city on Tuesday. This move has done little to quell speculation that Shapiro might be the chosen candidate.
Shapiro’s early life
Shapiro was born in Missouri but raised in Philadelphia. His father was a pediatrician and his mother an educator.
He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rochester and later pursued a law degree at Georgetown University.
Political journey
Shapiro began his political career as a state representative for Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County from 2005 to 2011. He then served as the chair of the Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County from 2011 to 2017.
He has also served as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2023, before becoming the state’s governor. In 2022, he won the gubernatorial race against Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate backed by former President Donald Trump.
‘A valued member of Democratic coalition’
Some progressives are expressing concern. In an open letter this week, around 50 leaders of national progressive groups warned that the imperative to “defeat the Trump-Vance-MAGA threat” means Democrats “simply cannot afford any setbacks” leading up to November. They argued that selecting Shapiro would constitute such a setback.
While they acknowledged Shapiro as “a valued member of the Democratic coalition,” they criticised him for having “made too many controversial policy decisions on issues such as school choice and the environment” to serve as the consensus voice needed at this critical moment.
Criticism of Netanyahu with support for Israel’s defence
Shapiro has embraced his Jewish identity and become a prominent defender of Israel within the Democratic Party amid its divisions over the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, Shapiro has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the attacks on Gaza and other Palestinian territories, calling Netanyahu “one of the worst leaders of all time,” while still affirming Israel’s right to self-defense.
On the domestic front, Shapiro has condemned alleged antisemitism among anti-Israel protesters and implemented measures that progressives argue are aimed at limiting pro-Palestinian voices, particularly on college campuses.