'He would be a dream': Democrats eye a Harris/Shapiro ticket as the DNC approaches

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As the Democratic Party coalesces around Vice President Kamala Harris as its new standard bearer, political observers are viewing Gov. Josh Shapiro as a potential vice-presidential pick.

A day after President Joe Biden announced he would abandon his campaign for a second term, Harris appears to have secured her party's backing at the top of the ticket.

Just about every potential Democratic rival has endorsed her candidacy, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The same has held in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed Harris as the nominee on social media Sunday, and the state's delegation to the Democratic National Convention voted unanimously to support her, delegate Aidan Levinson said.

Assuming Harris does secure the nomination, she'll look to balance the ticket when selecting her would-be vice president.

And no less an expert than Vegas likes Shapiro's odds.

The website oddschecker.com listed Shapiro as the favorite to earn the nod, with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear rounding out the Top 3.

Since Sunday, Pennsylvania Democrats have mostly ducked reporters' questions about whether Shapiro should round out the ticket.

A noticeable exception was state House Speaker Joanna McClinton.

Not shying from national profile

But as recently as last week, local officials were joking about Shapiro's rising star in national politics.

During a ceremonial bill signing in Bethlehem, state Sen. Lisa Boscola commented on his bright future in the federal arena.

"Still, keep coming here even if you go federal! Come back!" Boscola said.

"All right. Thank you," a laughing Shapiro said, prompting Boscola to move on in her remarks.

Boscola didn't return a call for comment Monday.

Shapiro drew national attention in 2022 after he bested state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, in the gubernatorial campaign by a14.8-point margin.

The victory marked the first time a Democrat had succeeded a Democratic governor in Pennsylvania since 1958, and Shapiro's ability to dominate in a swing-state had pundits labeling him a future presidential candidate before he even moved into the governor's mansion.

Since then, Shapiro has done little to dampen his popularity.

A Franklin and Marshall poll from April found he had an approval rating of 54%, and he's earned bi-partisan praise for his leadership following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the reopening of Interstate 95 months ahead of schedule following an explosive crash in 2023.

While Shapiro has insisted that he intends to serve as governor for the long haul, he hasn't shied away from growing a national profile.

Last fall, he campaigned on Biden's behalf in New Hampshire, an early primary state that ambitious politicians make a habit to visit.

"I'm just happy to be here to support the party and to share our message of progress in Pennsylvania," Shapiro told LehighValleyNews.com following his New Hampshire address last year.

The Shapiro campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.

'Too risky'

On paper, Shapiro would be the ideal fit for the Democratic ticket, Muhlenberg College political science professor Christopher Borick said.

Pennsylvania is a must-win for Democrats this November, and the popular governor would give Harris the best chance to carry the state, Borick said.

"If he wasn't on a very, very short list [of candidates], there's a problem," he said.

"He's a talented and effective campaigner. He's incredibly disciplined. He would be a dream for Harris to have."

But serving as the No. 2 on the ticket goes against Shapiro's instincts. Borick said he believes Shapiro intends to become president, but running for vice president wouldn't be the best way to further that goal.

While Biden and former President George H.W. Bush served as vice presidents, it doesn't provide a clear path to the White House.

And becoming a failed vice-presidential candidate can end or limit a political career, Borick said. He pointed to the limited post-ticket successes of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, as evidence.

Good vice-presidential candidates serve as important proxies and surrogates on the campaign trail, Borick said, but the campaign's success is largely contingent on the presidential candidate.

That may be a bridge too far for a candidate who has worked so hard to control his message and image.

"He looks for the best opportunities to make that step up," Borick said. "I think that given his decision-making, putting his future in the hands of somebody else — in all likelihood Kamala Harris — is too risky for him."

Instead, he said, Harris may have better luck recruiting candidates who have no obvious career steps.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently won a second term as a Democrat in a red state. While Kentucky doesn't have term limits, there are few remaining opportunities for Beshear to follow, Borick said.