Who is Josh Shapiro, a potential Biden replacement?

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(NewsNation) — Hours after President Joe Biden’s stumbling debate performance, Democrats began questioning whether he should be replaced on ballots come November, proposing a handful of names as possible alternatives.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has emerged as one of the possible replacements to be the Democratic nominee if Biden withdraws from the race, which he says he has no intention of doing.

Since his election as governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, Shapiro has frequently been touted as having presidential potential. Those making the case he could be the Democratic nominee this time around say his most politically attractive quality is that he’s a moderate.

Shapiro’s path to governorship

Shapiro began his political career when elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2005, flipping the 153rd Legislative District blue for the first time in two decades.

In 2017, he became the state’s attorney general following the arrest of his predecessor, Kathleen Kane.

During his six years serving as the Pennsylvania attorney general, Shapiro exposed the cover-up of child sexual abuse by the Catholic Church and led efforts to crack down on the opioid epidemic and gun violence in the state.

In 2023, he was elected governor after campaigning as the champion of the vulnerable, willing to “take on the big fights.” He won the crucial election over his Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano.

Since taking office, Shapiro has had to contend with a Republican-led state Senate and an evenly divided House. He is currently locked in a contentious fight over the state budget after it failed to pass before the deadline.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks with members of the media. — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks with members of the media during a news conference in Yardley, Pa., Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. A protest in Philadelphia calling for the end of the siege in Gaza drew criticism from Shapiro as being a “blatant act of antisemitism” after protesters gathered at a Jewish restaurant. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Shapiro on the issues

As governor, Shapiro worked to deliver on the economic and environmental promises he made campaigning, including:

Lowering consumer costs and tackling inflation.
Raising the state’s $7.25 per hour minimum wage rate to $15 an hour.
Raising the 2030 target for renewable or clean electricity production from the current goal of 8% to 30%.
Putting Pennsylvania on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Helping to hire 2,000 more police officers across the Commonwealth.”
Allowing incarcerated people to apply for geriatric parole and supporting expunging the records of those serving time for nonviolent marijuana convictions.

Shapiro’s relationship with Biden

After the first presidential debate, Shapiro came to Biden’s defense, both with reporters and on social media.

“Here’s the bottom line. Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but Donald Trump was a bad president,” Shapiro said on CNN. He added Democrats should “stop worrying” and “start working” as panic set in about Biden’s performance.

Shapiro, along with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, serve on a national advisory board assembled by Biden. The campaign says that while the goal is to further Biden’s reelection, it is also helping the president realize his promise of being a “bridge” to a future generation of Democrats.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a news conference at the United Association Local 524 union building in Scranton, Pa., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Shapiro announced he would back legislation to make power plant owners in Pennsylvania pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and require utilities in the nation's third-biggest power-producer to buy more electricity from renewable sources. (AP Photo/Michael Rubinkam) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a news conference at the United Association Local 524 union building in Scranton, Pa., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Shapiro announced he would back legislation to make power plant owners in Pennsylvania pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and require utilities in the nation’s third-biggest power-producer to buy more electricity from renewable sources. (AP Photo/Michael Rubinkam)

Shapiro’s political controversies

In October of last year, a cloud of controversy emerged around Shapiro regarding allegations of sexual harassment made by a woman against Mike Vereb, a senior aide in Shapiro’s office.

The woman, who started in her role around when Shapiro took office in January, wrote in a complaint earlier that year that Vereb made lewd and misogynistic remarks and that she was retaliated against when she spoke up.

Shapiro’s office settled the claim by agreeing to pay the former employee and her lawyers $295,000, according to documents released by the administration under the state’s open records law.

Shapiro has largely avoided comment on the allegations and Vereb’s resignation. He also drew blowback from legislators when he told reporters to “consider the source” when asked about concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, regarding Vereb remaining employed for months despite the allegations.