NEWS ALERT: Why ‘runner-up’ Democrat wasn’t chosen as Harris’s VP

9

For ads-free news, click here.

Details are emerging on why Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, reportedly one of the two “finalists” being considered for Kamala Harris’s running mate on the Democrat ticket, wasn’t chosen after all.

Among other things, a video released by the mayor of Philadelphia may have been his downfall. Another concern is reportedly that Shapiro’s own personal ambitions would cause him to upstage and override Harris.

Shapiro, 51, was attorney general of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2023, and has served as governor since January 2023.

Progressive Democrats were opposed to Shapiro since he is Jewish and has supported Israel’s war against Hamas. Democrats were also slamming Shapiro over his support for school vouchers that allow public money to go toward private schools.

But a video released by a Democrat mayor in Pennsylvania, promoting Shapiro as the vice presidential pick, reportedly didn’t go over too well. The video had sparked rumors that it was an official which was leaked early. Now, it has been reported that wasn’t the case, but the video came directly from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office.

Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich announced:

Two sources confirm on background the deciding factor in the VP’s choice was what Sen Fetterman said publicly: concerns Shapiro’s own personal ambitions would cause him to upstage/override Harris. The video Shapiro produced by Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker’s team solidified this sentiment on Friday.

UPDATE: Shapiro’s team was not aware Mayor Parker’s office had produced the video and there was no communication about its release between Parker and Shapiro’s teams ahead of time, a source familiar tells Fox.

Below is an excerpt from Politico with more “inside scoop” on Shapiro’s rejection:

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, another finalist, avoided the green-room circuit and instead touted Harris and his own record at a series of events throughout the state. A pro-Harris event in Philadelphia turned into a Shapiro-for-VP party.

His style was seen by at least some in Harris’ world as showboating. One senior Democrat in touch with Harris’ team called it “counterproductive.”

And there was a sense within Shapiro’s team that, unlike Walz, his interview with Harris did not go as well as it could have. There was “not a great feeling” coming out of it, according to a person in touch with his advisers.

After their meeting on Sunday, Shapiro called Harris’ team and made clear that he was “struggling with the decision to leave his current job as governor of Pennsylvania, in order to seek the vice presidency,” according to a person familiar with the selection process.

Shapiro then released a statement on social media, and declared, “My work here in Pennsylvania is far from finished — there is a lot more stuff I want to get done for our Commonwealth.

“Over the next 90 days, I look forward to traveling all across the Commonwealth to unite Pennsylvanians behind my friends Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and defeat Donald Trump. See you tonight in Philly.”

The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS SECTION