Pa. Democrat leaders talk up Shapiro as VP pick

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said Tuesday if the state’s chief executive is tapped to run as the Democrats’ nominee for vice president — and wins — he would be ready to step in for Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“As the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, I know I have a job to do. And you don’t take this job without recognizing you might be called upon to serve as governor,” Davis said during an appearance in Pittsburgh.

Davis declined to join in any speculation about next steps for Shapiro, whose name is widely appearing in national media as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris if Democratic delegates approve her to run for president.

But he and other party leaders praised the governor and said his appearance on a Harris-Shapiro ticket would boost Democrats’ chances up and down the ballot in Pennsylvania.

Under the state constitution, should Shapiro vacate his seat, Davis would become governor and fill out Shapiro’s term. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, would become lieutenant governor.

“I don’t have a problem working with anyone, but that said, there is a process and a constitution that will be followed should a vacancy occur,” Ward said.

On Monday, Shapiro heaped compliments on Harris while in Allegheny County but wouldn’t reveal his thoughts on the prospect of running for national office. He also campaigned for a time at Eat’n Park in Avalon, praising Harris to any person who would ask.

While the state’s two top Democrats are keeping any VP talk close to the vest, other Democratic leaders are lobbying for Shapiro to be included on the national ticket.

Democratic state House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday that Harris should “definitely” pick Shapiro as her running mate.

State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said Shapiro has a wonderful story to tell Americans about the progress his administration has made in Pennsylvania over the first two years of his term.

Costa, Davis and others made their comments at a news conference at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, where they announced a $10 million allocation from the state budget to support security enhancements at nonprofit organizations and religious centers, doubling the previous year’s amount.

Costa said he is “thrilled” that Shapiro is being talked about as a nominee for vice president. He said the governor has a good track record to bring to a national ticket, like increasing funding for education and economic development programs and ensuring that the collapsed Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia was rebuilt quickly after the vital roadway collapsed in June 2023.

He said Shapiro being on the ticket would bring a large boost to Democrats running for Congress, row offices and the Pennsylvania Legislature.

“I think it is a tremendous advantage certainly for us in Pennsylvania, but time will tell if that plays out,” Costa said. “We should be proud as Pennsylvanians that our governor is being considered for this very important position in this country.”

Pennsylvania is arguably the most important swing state in the country. Its 19 Electoral College votes are the most of any swing state, and the winner of Pennsylvania has won the White House in every race since 2008.

Shapiro’s electoral performances in Pennsylvania have been impressive. He received more votes than any candidate during both his attorney general runs in 2016 and 2020. Shapiro flipped red-trending counties like Beaver and Luzerne in a landslide victory for governor in 2022.

Nearly 60% of Pennsylvania voters approve of Shapiro, compared to 23% who disapprove, according to a Quinnipiac University poll in January, the most recent poll to gauge Shapiro’s popularity.

State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, has served in Harrisburg for nearly 25 years. He said he has had a front-row seat to Shapiro’s career, praising his experience as a state lawmaker, a Montgomery County commissioner, the attorney general, and now the governor.

“I can’t think of anybody else who can bring that kind of experience to the (vice president’s) job,” Frankel said.