As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro meets with Kamala Harris about VP job, some neighbors hope he stays in the state
JENKINTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — CBS News has learned that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Washington, D.C., Sunday meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris as she prepares to select a running mate.
Harris is expected to announce her vice presidential pick Tuesday, and she is slated to appear with her VP pick at a rally later in the day in North Philadelphia. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance has a campaign event scheduled in South Philadelphia Tuesday.
Shapiro is among a handful of people said to be under consideration for the role.
Voters who spoke to CBS News Philadelphia in the area mostly said they support a Harris-Shapiro ticket, but some said they would like the governor to finish out his term in Harrisburg.
"He would be a good running mate for her. I mean, he's well known in Pennsylvania, which is one of those states that they want to be able to carry. But just him as a person, I think he would complement her," Michelle Roberts said.
"I think he's a great pick, but he's not an astronaut. The guy from Arizona is an intriguing pick," Justin Lamar said, referring to Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. "I think whoever she chooses will be a good person to go alongside her. I'd be happy seeing Shapiro."
"I love Josh Shapiro and what he's done for the state. He's a very strong candidate. I also think Pennsylvania is a swing state, and it will help get her the state's electoral votes," another resident said.
Another resident also mentioned Kelly but supports Shapiro.
"He just seems to be the best choice. He's young. He's articulate," the voter said. "The other guy, the astronaut, he's OK too, but I'm going with Shapiro."
Others said they would like to see Shapiro stay put.
"I'm gonna be selfish. We don't want him to leave. We want him to stay right here. We need him more," one neighbor said.
"Finish the job in Pennsylvania," another said. "Finish out his term as governor and I think '28 would be his time possibly to run for president."
Political strategists say there has been an unusual amount of excitement over who will join Harris on the Democratic ticket.
"This is so dramatic and so different than anything that has ever happened before ... this really shows something different this time where the vice president is getting a lot more attention than I've ever seen," Democratic strategist Eleanor Dezzi said.
Shapiro could help Harris appeal to a wide range of voters, especially in his home state, said Joe Watkins, a White House aide to former President George H.W. Bush.
"For somebody like Kamala Harris, who appeals to progressives and is doing well right now with the Democratic base, Shapiro helps her with independent voters, he helps her with non-college-educated voters that she might not appeal to right now," Watkins said.
Jamila Winder is chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and said she has gotten to know Shapiro in the last 18 months.
"I could just have goosebumps really thinking about the two of them together on a ticket," Winder said.
John Kennedy, a political science professor at West Chester University, said Shapiro would be the "textbook selection" for VP because of the governor's strong approval numbers in a key battleground state.
Shapiro doesn't come without concerns, though, particularly over protests related to the war in Gaza, which could turn off the party's left flank. Still, Shapiro could have an edge over contenders like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Arizona's Kelly because of his ties to Pennsylvania.
"It's difficult to imagine really any campaign, particularly the Democratic campaign, being victorious nationwide without winning Pennsylvania," Kennedy said.