Gov. Josh Shapiro, a possible vice presidential nominee, joined the building trades for a rally in support of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Shapiro delivered a speech that sounded like one he could use on the campaign trail as Harris’ running mate. Harris was expected to make her selection before the Times’ print deadline.
Shapiro called Harris a “fearless leader.” He praised the Biden-Harris administration for its clean energy policies and support for workers’ rights. When a portion of I-95 in the Northeast collapsed last year, he said the administration asked him, “What do you need?”
The governor said former President Donald Trump is “afraid” to face a skilled debater in Harris, adding that Trump is not good for workers’ rights and was for “screwing over the little guy” when he was in business and the White House.
Shapiro said he had a message for Trump.
“Stop s— talking America,” he said.
In response to questions from reporters, Shapiro said the Biden-Harris administration has delivered high-speed internet to areas in need. He said Harris has been right on the Israel-Hamas War in supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and seek the return of hostages while also pointing to the suffering of innocent people.
Shapiro declined to say whether he is being vetted for vice president, as has been reported.
The rally took place at the building trades offices at 4170 Woodhaven Road, where the unions had endorsed President Joe Biden in May.
But Biden had a terrible and embarrassing debate performance on June 27 and lackluster speeches and media interviews thereafter, and many national Democrats and donors publicly and privately called for him to exit the race, fearing he would lose to Trump and drag down Senate and House candidates.
Biden quit the race on July 21. Democrats decided to back Harris rather than open the nomination process to other candidates, a process that would have divided the party if Harris were not selected.
Others at the rally included Mayor Cherelle Parker; city party boss Bob Brady; state House Speaker Joanna McClinton; state Reps. Pat Gallagher, Joe Hohenstein, Ed Neilson, Anthony Bellmon, Jordan Harris, Danilo Burgos and Nancy Guenst; state Sens. Jimmy Dillon, Sharif Street, Steve Santarsiero and John Kane; City Councilmen Mike Driscoll, Anthony Phillips and Jim Harrity; and Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada.
Brady led a chant of “Harris” and said it would be a “slam dunk” for Harris to win Pennsylvania if she chose Shapiro as her running mate.
Also endorsing Shapiro as the pick were Parker; Ryan Boyer, business manager of the building trades; and Mark Lynch, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98.
Boyer sees Harris as a strong candidate, pointing to her recent fundraising and her background as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California.
Wayne Miller, business manager of Sprinklerfitters Local 692, believes the support of the building trades will help Harris in Pennsylvania, as Jim Kenney in 2015 and Parker last year rose in the polls after gaining union backing.
Miller thanked Biden for his service and for backing Harris after he quit the race.
“That was a home run,” said Miller, adding that he thinks Harris will be able to step in as president on the first day.
Parker said Philadelphia has received $638 million in federal funds since she became mayor in January, and thinks Philadelphia will benefit if Harris is elected.
“I can’t do it without a partner in the White House,” she said.
Some Trump supporters, including congressional candidate Aaron Bashir, were outside the rally, with a few holding signs such as, “Border Czar Kamala Failed.” ••
