Fetterman Cautions Harris on Shapiro as VP Pick

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has expressed reservations about Vice President Kamala Harris potentially selecting Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate. According to sources cited by Politico, Fetterman’s aides communicated his concerns to Harris' campaign, suggesting that Shapiro is overly focused on his personal ambitions. This warning comes in light of past conflicts between Fetterman and Shapiro during their time on Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons, particularly regarding their differing views on criminal justice reform. Shapiro, who is considered a leading candidate for the vice presidential nomination following President Biden's withdrawal from the race, has defended his record on criminal justice reform. A spokesperson for Shapiro emphasized that the governor evaluates each pardons case on its individual merits and noted that he has approved more pardons and commutations than all his predecessors combined over the past 25 years. This statement aims to counter Fetterman's criticisms and highlight Shapiro's commitment to meaningful reform. Despite his concerns about Shapiro, Fetterman reportedly maintains strong support for Harris, with sources indicating that his assessment of Shapiro is not rooted in policy disagreements but rather personal ambitions. As the competition for the vice presidential slot intensifies, Shapiro has also faced scrutiny regarding his past comments on Israel, which have resurfaced in the media. Neither Fetterman, Shapiro, nor the Harris campaign has responded to requests for comment on these developments.