Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a newly-elected Democrat, has found himself at the center of speculation as a potential 2028 presidential contender following President Biden’s recent debate performance. While Shapiro himself has consistently expressed his support for Biden, the conversation surrounding his potential candidacy has intensified, particularly among GOP leaders. This development follows a recent deadly drug trend that has hit the streets of Philadelphia and Shapiro’s announcement of changes to state job requirements.
The debate over Shapiro’s potential candidacy has sparked a wave of commentary from both Democrats and Republicans. GOP county chairman in Pittsburgh, Sam DeMarco, reportedly suggested that Shapiro is “getting calls tonight” due to his status as the “popular governor of a critical swing state.” Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania’s last Republican governor, also weighed in, claiming that any Keystone State executive is automatically considered for the presidency due to the commonwealth’s strategic location, electoral vote count, and swing-state status.
Despite the growing speculation, Shapiro’s office has not responded to multiple requests for comment. However, the governor did offer his assessment of the debate, stating that Biden had a “bad night,” while Trump was a “bad president.” He urged fellow Democrats to “stop worrying and start working,” emphasizing the need for everyone to contribute to their party’s success.
While many prominent state Democrats contacted by Fox News Digital either did not respond or declined to comment, those who did largely skirted around directly referencing Shapiro’s potential candidacy, instead focusing on their unwavering support for Biden. State Sen. Sharif Street, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s chairman, stated that he will continue to support Biden, deeming any discussion about other candidates “premature at this point.” Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., representing Pennsylvania’s most “swing” congressional district, also voiced his support for Biden while raising concerns about Republicans who remain loyal to Trump. He pointed out Trump’s repeated lies and questioned whether his GOP opponent, state Rep. Rob Mercuri, would stand by his 2020 Trump endorsement amid the ongoing Shapiro speculation.
Fox News Digital also reached out to the Democratic mayors of Pennsylvania’s five largest cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading, and Erie. While four of the officials did not respond, a representative for Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk cited the first lady Jill Biden’s visit to the city as the reason for his inability to comment immediately. However, Tuerk previously commented on Biden’s debate performance, stating that the president “stands firm to protect our democracy” while Trump would “sell out our core values for a round of golf with Putin.” Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace, though unreachable for comment, had previously addressed a Women For Biden event, urging attendees to remember the fear they felt when Trump was elected in 2016 and to ensure they vote for Biden.
Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a long-time favorite of Biden and often referred to as a fellow son of Scranton, finally broke his silence since the debate on Tuesday, delivering remarks to reporters in his hometown. Casey acknowledged that Biden had a “bad night,” but asserted that “people know what’s at stake.” He expressed confidence in Biden’s work and believed that the American people and the citizens of Pennsylvania would focus on the upcoming elections.
Conversely, Shapiro’s 2022 GOP gubernatorial opponent, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, claimed that the governor has “obviously been running for president ever since he’s been in politics [by] getting just enough done” and avoiding major controversy. Mastriano, a Gettysburg lawmaker, accused Shapiro of avoiding debate on “real issues” during their campaign. He predicted that if Biden is no longer the nominee, Shapiro would not have the luxury of avoiding controversy and would be exposed as a “fraud” if the mantle of presidential candidacy falls upon him.
As the conversation surrounding Shapiro’s potential candidacy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the political landscape will shape in the coming months and years. The 2028 election is still a distant prospect, and it’s uncertain whether Shapiro will truly emerge as a frontrunner. However, the early whispers and speculation suggest that he has undoubtedly entered the national conversation as a potential contender for the presidency.
