PHILADELPHIA ― The atmosphere was electric. The crowd’s energy was palpable. It was as though Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro had not just been overlooked by Vice President Kamala Harris for her running mate just hours before.

As he approached the microphone, dressed in his signature campaign attire – a navy blazer adorned with an American flag pin, a crisp white button-up shirt without a tie, and black dress sneakers – Shapiro delivered one of his most passionate speeches yet, vowing to put all his effort into helping elect Harris.

He reminisced about their 20-year friendship, emphasizing her toughness as a former state attorney general and her readiness to take on former Republican President Donald Trump.

“Let me tell you something. I ain’t going back. I am not going back. I am not. And neither do you want to go back,” Shapiro yelled to a fervent crowd that echoed back what has become Harris’s unofficial campaign mantra.

His tone resembled that of a presidential hopeful.

Two years earlier, he had secured his position as governor in the same venue, Temple University’s Liacouras Center, during a joint event with President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama.

Shapiro won a decisive victory against Republican Doug Mastriano, outperforming him by nearly 15 points and garnering over 3 million votes—the most ever for a gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania.

He accomplished this by transforming the Democratic Party’s strategy in a crucial state that has played a pivotal role in the last two presidential elections. He appealed to rural voters in predominantly Republican regions and triumphed in swing counties that Biden lost in 2020, the same year Shapiro was also running for reelection as attorney general.

Democrats are looking to Shapiro, now 51, to replicate that success, this time for Harris, who needs a crucial win in Pennsylvania to succeed in the upcoming November election. Harris’s campaign is counting on Shapiro to build momentum in his home state and connect with dissatisfied moderates, frustrated suburban women, and disenchanted Republicans.

With the initial support fading and white working-class voters—who were key to Biden’s coalition—up for grabs, Harris faces challenges in persuading skeptical independents to embrace her centrist economic initiatives and populist tax proposals.

“He needs to help her connect with industrial Pennsylvania,” remarked former Republican Rep. Charlie Dent, a Biden supporter who backed Shapiro for governor but is uncertain about supporting Harris.

Shapiro has built a reputation for being a consensus-builder. He facilitated a significant deal as a member of the Pennsylvania House that allowed a Republican to become speaker. Shapiro also exposed the Catholic priest sexual abuse scandal as attorney general and robustly defended his state when Trump made unfounded claims about losing the election to Biden.

After a tragic shooting at a rally in Butler left one supporter dead and Trump injured, Shapiro showed his empathetic side by reaching out to the family of the victim before making a public statement.

A devoted family man, a person of faith, and a diligent worker, Shapiro is recognized for his exceptional communication skills and effective leadership. “He embodies confidence without arrogance and is someone who clearly understands the issues,” said former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. “He’s nearly the ideal candidate.”

Nearly. Shapiro, who is young and ambitious, has made a name for himself. However, his strong Jewish roots and the influence they have on his stance regarding Israel became key talking points in the race for Harris’s vice presidency.

Furthermore, his backing of school vouchers appealed to some Republicans, yet posed challenges for progressive supporters.

Critics argued that Shapiro was not well-equipped to take on the role of vice president. As a result, Harris chose a different path, allowing Shapiro to navigate his political journey independently across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania emerges as a national indicator

For many years, Ohio served as the nation’s indicator state. Now, that responsibility fell to Pennsylvania. Trump managed to secure Pennsylvania in a surprising win in 2016, but four years later, Biden claimed victory in the manufacturing-centric state.

“I feel the pressure of having the weight of the whole system on us; I’m fielding constant calls,” expressed Rose Huber, 50, an IT worker and school board member from Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County, during an event where Shapiro was the main speaker for Harris’s campaign.

Similar to other Rust Belt states, Pennsylvania is undergoing a demographic transformation: large urban areas are leaning heavily Democratic while rural regions remain strongly Republican; the population is becoming more diverse with a notable increase in the Hispanic community in the northeast.

The bold senator John Fetterman emerged from the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, while the more polished governor, Shapiro, represented the eastern suburbs of Philadelphia.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Shapiro’s family soon relocated to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he grew up until attending the University of Rochester in New York. After working at the Israeli embassy and in several congressional offices in Washington, he returned to Pennsylvania.

He quickly climbed the political ladder, transitioning from the Pennsylvania legislature to Montgomery County government, then to the attorney general’s office, ultimately reaching the governor’s mansion within twenty years.

Shapiro has a talent for bipartisanship. “He focuses on job creation and substantial economic development, partnering with the business sector while maintaining a socially moderate and practical approach,” noted Dent, the former GOP congressman from Allentown.

Shapiro attributes his successes to a politics-focused on unity.

“The key to winning in Pennsylvania is investing the effort while clearly expressing your beliefs and principles,” he commented.

In his journey, he formed a strong ally in President Obama, whom he endorsed back in 2007 amid the primary battle against Hillary Clinton.

Obama later appointed Shapiro to a task force that influenced federal healthcare reform. He also provided Shapiro with a rare endorsement during his campaign for attorney general.

“He has been one of the president’s most trusted advisors in Pennsylvania, a source of counsel and support over the years,” shared Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama.

Shapiro’s style of speaking and his mannerisms have often been likened to Obama’s. Trump’s running mate JD Vance has even criticized it as a “poor imitation” of the past president.

If the two share similar sounds at times, it can be attributed to Shapiro spending his Sundays attending services at Black churches, according to his good friend Marshall Mitchell, who is a pastor at Salem Baptist Church in Abington.

Though Shapiro is white and Jewish, with glasses and slicked-back hair, he possesses a remarkable talent for captivating an audience, akin to Obama’s ability.

“He’s incredibly charismatic,” commented Caroline Bradley, 46, a marketing professional from

Malvern, who left the Republican Party in 2016, is presently volunteering for Harris.

Toward the end of Shapiro’s governor campaign in 2022, Obama visited Pennsylvania alongside Biden. This was their only shared appearance during that election. Obama praised Shapiro for his steadfast support, while Biden called him brave.

Shapiro had outpaced Biden two years prior, achieving the highest number of votes in Pennsylvania. He performed better than Biden in areas like Trump-supporting Beaver County, to the west of Pittsburgh, and conservative Cambria County, located east of the city.

He triumphed over his challenger in Luzerne County, where Biden lost by over 22,000 votes.

Initially, Shapiro backed Harris, but she withdrew from the 2019 Democratic primary before any voters participated. Eventually, he supported Biden, who hails from Scranton.

As Biden approached his re-election, he included Shapiro on his team of surrogates.

A week before Biden withdrew, Shapiro joined Harris in navigating through a bustling marketplace at Reading Terminal Market in downtown Philadelphia.

While placing her hand on his shoulder, Harris stated that Governor Shapiro “has been an exceptional partner to both the president and myself.” She then invited him to speak to the press.

He had just enjoyed coffee with Biden in Harrisburg the week prior, and now he was sharing pad thai with Harris in Philadelphia.

“She’s an excellent vice president,” he proclaimed. “I couldn’t be prouder to support the Biden-Harris campaign.”

A deeply personal decision for Harris – and for Shapiro

With Biden out of the race, Harris took center stage. Almost immediately, Shapiro’s name emerged as a potential vice-presidential candidate.

The two had met nearly two decades earlier when they participated in the same leadership fellowship program. At that time, she was the district attorney of San Francisco, while he was a newly elected state representative.

“We clicked right away,” Shapiro shared in an interview.

During that time, they read together and discussed leadership. “We traveled across the country to build alliances, deepen our understanding, and enhance our leadership skills,” he recounted.

As they progressed in their careers, Shapiro noted, “We kept a strong bond.”

Their paths crossed frequently, leading many to speculate that Shapiro could be Harris’ running mate. His supporters publicly campaigned for him.

However, his reluctance to call for a ceasefire, criticisms towards young pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and his efforts to pressure a prestigious Pennsylvania university to disband a student protest camp worked against him amid significant divisions in the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Harris’ other potential picks were supportive of Israel. Yet, focus shifted to Shapiro, a proud Jew, which led to accusations perceived as antisemitic.

Old criticisms resurfaced, too. He was not favored in certain progressive circles. His advocacy for school vouchers irked teachers’ unions and labor members. Additionally, concerns arose about how he handled a sexual harassment complaint involving a former staff member.

Fetterman had animosity with Shapiro stemming from disagreements they had on the state parole board. (Fetterman supported commutations; Shapiro leaned towards denials). The senator made it clear to Harris’ team about these tensions, according to two sources knowledgeable about the matter.

The selection process established Shapiro’s reputation as a rising star. However, it also made him a target. As Shapiro adjusted to his new role, criticisms continued to linger.

emerging as one of the party’s prime contenders for a prominent role in the future.

His self-serving attitude and lack of loyalty have been highlighted by two Democrats who have known him for over ten years, sharing their concerns with YSL News. They referenced his choice back in 2011 to challenge his former mentor in an election, bringing their doubts to the attention of Harris’ vetting team.

“Every candidate has strengths and weaknesses. People have differing views on your record,” remarked Bob Brady, the Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party and a close acquaintance of Shapiro, who advocated for him to be Harris’ running mate. “He would have been an excellent selection and would have performed well.”

Shapiro characterized it as a “very personal choice” for both Harris and himself. According to a source familiar with the situation, Shapiro expressed concerns about departing Pennsylvania to Harris’ team.

In a recent interview, he opted not to disclose details about his private discussions with Harris. “We had a productive and sincere conversation,” he stated, “and I believe she made a superb choice in Tim Walz.”

Sources close to the discussions described the situation more bluntly: it became clear during Shapiro’s vetting interview that it would not be a suitable partnership. Shapiro even attempted to negotiate a set of policy responsibilities for himself, raising concerns within Harris’ camp that his focus as vice president would lean more towards his own political future rather than supporting hers.

Shapiro’s allies admitted he has a strong presence; they felt Walz was a more suitable option for Harris.

“I believed Shapiro was the obvious candidate, but she clearly chose a different path,” remarked Dent about Shapiro. “He’s more equipped to be a lead candidate than a supportive one, and his personality seems better suited for a higher role.”

Friends of Shapiro argue that avoiding the joint ticket may benefit him in the long term. He can now focus on Pennsylvania, assist Harris in securing the state, and potentially launch his own campaign in four to eight years based on his achievements.

“He finds himself in a unique situation where Pennsylvania is crucial for the presidency, and with his ratings, he can significantly help her there,” Mitchell noted.

At the Heart of Political Activity

Shapiro’s motto is “GSD,” which means getting things done for his state. He revisited his successful strategies to assist Harris.

As an advisor, he urged Harris to engage with rural regions where she could diminish Trump’s lead.

“This might be the one point where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump agree: Pennsylvania is essential to win,” Shapiro remarked.

Harris took his counsel to heart. She toured Beaver County on a bus on the eve of the Democratic National Convention and visited Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre during a campaign swing in September.

Shapiro emphasized her recognition of the necessity to appear in underrepresented rural areas, noting her visits to regions that Trump had previously won, as well as to towns outside Pittsburgh.

“She plans to continue returning and is aware of the vital role Pennsylvania plays,” he stated to reporters after a campaign event in Philadelphia in September.

Due to her schedule, Harris has not spent much time in Pennsylvania lately, leaving it to Shapiro and her other representatives to ramp up their support.

“The states that will decide this election are few, with Pennsylvania leading the list. I believe Josh Shapiro is our biggest asset in securing that state,” remarked Schultz, an adviser to Obama.

Throughout the summer, Shapiro campaigned for her in Cumberland County, an area he lost in 2020 but won convincingly in 2022. Last Thursday, he spoke at a rally in Pittsburgh headlined by Obama to support Harris.

Harris’ last visit to Pennsylvania occurred on September 25. Although she was scheduled to join Walz on a bus tour through central Pennsylvania in early October, she canceled her appearance as the administration dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, leaving Walz to proceed without her.

Harris’s next visit will be to Erie, a significant county in the northwest region of the state, on Monday. This marks her 10th trip to Pennsylvania since her campaign began.

Her approach does come with challenges. Philadelphia and its neighboring counties represented over 40% of Biden’s votes in Pennsylvania in the last election, and she has not visited that region since mid-September.

Polls indicate a close race in Pennsylvania, a state Trump won by around 44,000 votes in 2016, while Biden won it by more than 80,000 votes in 2020.

Trump is attempting to portray Harris as an out-of-touch liberal from California, targeting the working-class voters he aims to regain.

While Harris performs significantly better than Trump on issues concerning abortion rights, the former president has a stronger showing on the economy and immigration.

Recent polling by YSL News/Suffolk University identified the economy and immigration as the top issues for voters in Pennsylvania.

The more Harris discusses her economic strategies, including her initiatives for small businesses and reducing childcare expenses,

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Shapiro expressed optimism about Kamala Harris’ campaign, stating that as time passes, more people will become aware of her strategies as well as the lack of a clear plan from Donald Trump. This contrast will lead many to believe that they would be better off with Harris in charge.

He referenced his own history of tax reductions as a guiding example for Harris’ economic agenda.

More popular than Taylor Swift

Shapiro enjoys a higher approval rating in Pennsylvania compared to Harris and Trump, and even surpasses the popularity of Taylor Swift, who hails from Reading.

According to a poll by YSL News/Suffolk University conducted in mid-September, shortly after the presidential debate, Harris had a 49% approval rating in Pennsylvania, while Trump lagged at 43%. Shapiro, on the other hand, was the favored politician with a 57% approval rating.

“I’m a big fan of Kamala. I think she’s fantastic,” said Bradley, a Harris supporter from Chester County. “But I believe Josh Shapiro is even better.”

Shapiro was one of the standout speakers during the Democratic convention breakfast events in August, visiting 10 delegations over four days, including important early primary states like South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nevada.

Recently, he campaigned in Wisconsin for Sen. Tammy Baldwin and in North Carolina for gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, as well as participating in a separate event for Harris. Last Sunday, he headed to Georgia, all of which are crucial battleground states for Harris’ campaign.

Shapiro is set to visit New Hampshire on October 30, where a notable gubernatorial race is underway.

This connection could be significant if Harris doesn’t win the presidential election.

“What opportunities arise between now and 2028 is something for Josh to explore. His skills are versatile, and he can pursue any path he chooses, including potentially the presidency,” remarked Rep. Madeleine Dean, a protégé of Shapiro who succeeded him in the state legislature.

If Harris prevails in the election? “He has a long future ahead,” Dean added.

Some Democrats believe that Shapiro could be appointed as attorney general in a Harris administration. However, his supporters argue he is unlikely to leave Pennsylvania, where he has been in office for less than two years and is expected to seek re-election.

“He’s a unique figure in politics,” Mitchell said. “I liken him to a basketball player destined to be among the greatest of all time by the end of his career.”

Shapiro stated that he enjoys being active in political life. “I always want to be involved in a way that allows me to make a real difference,” he explained.

For the moment, he believes that supporting Harris’ election and his role as Pennsylvania’s governor fulfill that goal.

And achieving results is his priority.