Why Pennsylvania Democrats Are Actually Relieved That Kamala Harris Chose Tim Walz Over Josh Shapiro as Her Running Mate

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro won’t be entering the White House for a while, but many Democrats in the state where he fought hardest say they’re relieved he was passed over as Kamala Harris’ running mate.

After weeks of speculation, the vice president instead chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join her on the Democratic presidential ticket. The move was met with praise from Democrats across the political spectrum, but also prompted accusations, mainly from Republicans, that she bowed to pressure from the left to not pick Shapiro.

“I thought it was going to be Shapiro, but we need him to stay here in Pennsylvania. We need him here,” said Harris supporter Betty Blue of Philadelphia.

It was a common reaction from Democrats DailyMail.com spoke to after the big reveal.

“I wanted to, but I also didn’t want to lose him to Pennsylvania because he’s so good for Pennsylvania and Bucks County, where I’m from. It was almost a sigh of relief,” said Carole Barocca of Yardley, Pennsylvania.

“It was a little bit of a safer choice, but probably a smart choice,” said Lisa Schifflman of Wynnewood, PA, of Harris choosing Walz.

“We need Governor Shapiro here in Pennsylvania because there are things happening here that he needs to keep his finger on the pulse of,” she added.

“We get to keep Shapiro here,” cheered Brenda Ross of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Marci Wilf of Wynnewood, PA said she disagreed with Shapiro’s omission from the ticket, but she thinks he can help Democrats in Pennsylvania regardless. She also noted that he “has a long road ahead of him to accomplish a lot of things.”

Amy Izzo of Exton, PA also liked the choice of Walz. While she supports her home state governor, she pointed out that Walz did not face the same challenges as Shapiro over Israel.

When Shapiro’s name was mentioned as a possible running mate, it was greeted with enthusiasm by some, with Republicans seeing him as a formidable threat in a key state.

Shapiro used his speech in Philadelphia to rally support for Harris and Walz in a state that is crucial for Democrats to win the White House in November. He also spoke about faith, declaring, “I’m proud of my faith.”

Shapiro’s appearance in Philadelphia was met with thunderous applause, as more than 14,000 people turned out for Kamala Harris’ rally, just hours after Shapiro was passed over as her running mate

But he also began to face criticism from progressives for his strong support for Israel. While his stance on Israel is not out of step with other Democrats, including the leadership, other potential running mates have not been viewed with the same scrutiny as the Jewish governor, leading to accusations of anti-Semitism.

When Harris chose Walz, Republicans seized on the decision to accuse the vice president of pandering to anti-Semites. Democrats in the state that picked Shapiro, however, dismissed the accusation. Those familiar with the process said it was about chemistry.

Shapiro showed up to a thunderous round of applause for Harris and Walz in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, and gave a fiery speech in which he vowed to do everything he could to get them elected in November.

But amid the national spotlight at the gathering of more than 14,000 people, Shapiro also took a moment to discuss his faith.

“Let me just say this. I rely on my family, and I rely on my faith, which calls me to serve, and I’m proud of my faith,” he said. “I want to tell you what my faith teaches me. My faith teaches me that no one, no one is obligated to complete the task, but we are not free to decline either.”

Shapiro also praised Harris as “combative and ready to go” and called Walz a patriot and a good friend.

“Are you prepared to look the next president of the United States in the eye and say, ‘Hello Madam President?’ Me too, so let’s get to work,” he concluded to thunderous applause.

“He’s going to make sure that Pennsylvania does what they’re going to do,” said Bertha Bellamy, who was in the electric audience for Shapiro’s speech. She said she would have liked to see a Jewish man on the ticket. “It’s OK. We’re going to ride with Walz.”

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz appear at their first campaign rally as running mates in Philadelphia, PA on August 6. They were introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro

Forty minutes outside Philadelphia, in Shapiro’s hometown, people aren’t surprised that he’s quickly climbing the political ladder as speculation mounts about a run for governor. But even in the suburbs of Montgomery County, where he began his political career, voters weren’t convinced he’d be elected vice president.

“I think he’s doing good things, and I think he’s going to be good for Pennsylvania,” Margaret said in Willow Grove, just around the corner from where Shapiro grew up, calling it “too early” for the non-term governor to seek higher office.

Others thought it was too early to leave the state for the national stage, but they certainly see it in his future.

One woman said that even if he was asked, he should wait a moment and run for the “number one position in line.”

Arther Verbit lived across the street from Shapiro’s parents in Dresher, PA for many years. Although Verbit didn’t move in until Shapiro was an adult, he met the governor several times during the many years his parents lived there.

“He gave a speech to a women’s group and I immediately said I was impressed and have followed him ever since,” he said, recounting an event about 20 years ago. “I said then, ‘This man could be the first Jewish president.'”

But even Verbit wasn’t sure Shapiro was the right political candidate to be Harris’ running mate this time around.