Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear withdrew from key events capping off this week amid fervent speculation about their chances of winning Vice President Kamala Harris’ veepstakes.
Shapiro is no longer attending at least two long-planned fundraisers for his personal campaign committee in the Hamptons over the weekend, The Post has learned.
His office did not provide an explanation for the sudden cancellation.
“The Governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee,” the governor’s spokesman Manuel Bonder told The Post. “His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Beshear, 46, was scheduled to visit the Jackson Purchase Distillery in western Kentucky on Friday but abruptly pulled out a day before. He will send Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman attend in his stead.
Both Shapiro and Beshear are rumored to be among the top contenders to join Harris on the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket, alongside Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Speculation about Shaprio recently intensified in the wake of a report from Politico that Harris is expected to stump with her running mate on Tuesday – in Philadelphia.
Harris told reporters earlier this week that she has “not yet” made up her mind on the vice presidential pick.
Beshear and Shapiro have both earned reputations for working with the other side and are perceived as relatively moderate Democrats.
Shapiro, who was first sworn in as governor last year, has earned high marks from labor leaders. Late last month, over 50 labor leaders in the Keystone State signed a letter backing him for VP.
Several top Jewish Democrats have flagged progressive angst about Shapiro as the rumors reached a fever pitch.
“These Progressives don’t want a Jew. Let’s say it out loud. Imagine if moderate Dems said they didn’t want a certain minority,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) posted on X with an article about progressive concerns over his support for school vouchers and response against the anti-Israel protesters.
“The condemnations would be deafening. Yet now we hear much silence,” Moskowitz added.
“There are several incredible options for vice president. The superb Governor of Pennsylvania, @JoshShapiroPA, is one of them. Singling him out, or applying a double standard to him over the war in Gaza, is antisemitic and wrong. Don’t go there,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) posted on X.
Beshear, who won reelection last year to a second term in the ruby-red state of Kentucky, has also earned some acclaim from labor unions.
Harris, 59, who was quickly thrust into presumptive Democratic Party presidential standard-bearer status after President Biden’s abrupt withdrawal from the race on July 21, has a matter of days left to make her big decision.
The Democratic National Committee announced that it would hold a virtual roll call to crown its official nominee starting on Thursday and ending next Monday.
Party leaders are eager to complete the coronation to ensure compliance with Ohio’s Aug. 7 deadline to secure ballot access. Ohio Republicans had pushed through a waiver, but Democrats have made clear they don’t trust it won’t be challenged.
