Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker sent Democrats into a social media frenzy Friday after endorsing Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as the Democratic vice presidential candidate.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to announce her vice presidential pick before a Tuesday rally, has not yet made a decision, although Shapiro appears on a list of six or more nominees being vetted, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, the governor of Minnesota. Tim Walz and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
But Parker’s Tweetanother report by Philadelphia journalist Ernest Owens, claiming the post “was scheduled for Monday,” were enough to convince many that Shapiro was set to be vice president. The post is still up as of Friday evening.
“I can’t think of a better partner than our governor,” the mayor says in the clip, leading some to believe that Shapiro was chosen to join the ticket.
The tweet, which came around the same time Harris was meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as part of the selection process, was “not an announcement of anything,” according to a source who counted told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Parker was simply showing support for Shapiro.
Pennsylvania’s governor may be an ideal candidate to sway Rust Belt voters, but he has his baggage. Shapiro’s harsh criticism of pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations and charter school advocacy could be alienate for young progressive voters, a group Harris reinvigorated after Biden left the race.
Harris, who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee after a virtual vote on Friday, is expected to finalize her pick over the weekend, a decision the campaign hopes will maintain the enthusiasm that has driven Harris’ campaign since President Joe Biden left the race last month. .
