Swing state governors Shapiro and Whitmer rally Philadelphia-area voters for a Harris presidency

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer applauds as Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on July 29, 2024 in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hannah Beier/Getty Images)

LOWER GWYNEDD TWP. — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rallied Democrats at a suburban Philadelphia high school as Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign entered its first full week Monday.

Shapiro and Whitmer, both prospects to be Harris’ running mate, told the crowd of more than 1,000 at Wissahickon High School that a Harris presidency would build on the achievements of President Joe Biden, who bowed out of his reelection bid July 21 amid crumbling confidence over his fitness and a crescendo of Democratic leaders calling for him to step aside.

The swing state governors recalled Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s time in the White House as an era of less freedom, fewer jobs and more chaos with a warning that a second Trump presidency with running mate J.D. Vance would be worse.

“Trump and Vance want to take us backwards, but we’re not going back. Our response to them is simple, hell no,” Whitmer said, leading the crowd in a call and response. “Are we going back to less freedom? Are we going back to cronies and crooks who help themselves at our expense? Are we going back to dangerous extremists?”

“Hell no,” the crowd responded.

Among Trump’s few successes, Shapiro said, was packing the Supreme Court with three conservative justices before it overturned Roe v. Wade, the 50-year-old decision establishing the national right to abortion.

He did that when he had no earthly idea how to be president back then. And there were a whole lot of guardrails still around Donald Trump when he was president four years ago,” Shapiro said. “That same Supreme Court — his buddies he put on there — just ruled that the rule of law does not apply to Donald Trump.”

Though Biden’s decision to step down late in the presidential election cycle is a risk, many at the rally Monday said it has infused new energy and enthusiasm in the Democratic party.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk told the Capital-Star that Harris’ campaign brings a clear vision for a future building on the successes of the Biden administration with an even stronger focus on reproductive and women’s rights. 

“We’re feeling good. There’s a level of enthusiasm that is just off the charts and I’m just riding the wave right now,” Tuerk said.

Shapiro, who is less than halfway through his first term as governor, has emerged as a vice presidential frontrunner in the week since Biden stepped back and support for Harris as the Democratic nominee solidified.

Like Whitmer, Shapiro is a popular governor in one of several swing states that are crucial in the race for president because of their relatively large numbers of electoral college votes. 

They’re among several Democratic governors including Tim Walz of Minnesota and Andy Beshear of Kentucky identified as strong candidates to balance Harris’ profile. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who had a high-profile career before politics as an astronaut and Navy captain, would also complement Harris.

But Pennsylvania is seen as the keystone to electoral victory in 2024. Voters in the Keystone state chose Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2016 by similarly narrow margins. 

Shapiro has a winning record in statewide elections having decisively won two terms as state attorney general in 2016 and 2020. He defeated the Republican gubernatorial nominee, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, in 2022 by a near-landslide margin. And a Fox News poll of Pennsylvania voters last week put Shapiro’s approval rating at 61%.

His high profile as a possible running mate has also produced scrutiny of his record on supporting school vouchers, the environment and a sexual harassment scandal early in his administration.

People attending the rally told the Capital-Star they’re open to many of those named as potential Harris running mates.

Amanda Baker of Pottstown said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg would be her “dream VP pick” but said she’s not confident that voters across the country would embrace a woman of color and a gay man on the same presidential ticket. 

Charles Snippert, a retired professor and a school director in Pottstown School District, said Shapiro would be his first choice for vice president, crediting his role in negotiating with the Republican controlled state Senate to produce a budget with historic increases in public education funding. 

“We’re ecstatic over the fact … they’re starting to bring the aid back up to a reasonable level,” Snippert said, adding that Pottstown is set to receive about $1 million in additional funding this year. “I think Mr. Shapiro deserves an awful lot of credit for working through a compromise.”

Robin Allen-McKinnon of Plymouth Meeting said that while she’s a fan of Whitmer and hoped Biden would name her as his running mate in 2020, Harris will need to be pragmatic in her choice. 

“I think that she probably needs to pick a white man. Just to balance out the ticket,” Allen-McKinnon said, adding that a politically moderate choice like Shapiro would strengthen the ticket. She noted that Shapiro’s strong support in 2022 showed his broad appeal.

“That’s significant in how divided Pennsylvania is,” Allen-McKinnon said. “So I’m thinking if he’s able to do that, then … I’m hoping he could replicate throughout the country.”

 In his endorsement of Harris, Shapiro told the crowd Monday the election will be a decision to stand up together as a nation and fight to protect freedom against those who would rip it away. 

“Kamala Harris’ name is going to be on that ballot, and I’m gonna be pushing that button for Kamala Harris,” Shapiro said, adding that the election isn’t about the names on the ballot.

“It’s about all of us and what it is that we’re willing to fight for, what it is that we’re willing to work for, and what kind of future we want to build for our children and our grandchildren,” Shapiro said. 

“I don’t know about you. I want a future that is cleaner and greener. I want a future with better schools and safer streets. A future with more freedom, not less, and a future where I can look the 47th President of the United States in the eye and say Hello Madam President.”