Rust Belt Governors Rally for Harris in Pennsylvania

Two influential governors from the Rust Belt, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, gathered in southeastern Pennsylvania on Monday to support Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign. The rally, held at Wissahickon High School in Montgomery County, focused on Harris's legal background and her commitment to social issues. Whitmer emphasized Harris's track record as a district attorney, stating, “As district attorney, she put crooks behind bars,” while Shapiro praised her dedication to fighting for families, declaring, “Vice President Harris has been battle-tested.” The event took place just nine days after President Joe Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris as his successor. Following Biden's withdrawal, party delegates nationwide have expressed their support for Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August. Whitmer encouraged attendees to envision a future where they could refer to Harris as “madame president,” highlighting the optimism surrounding her candidacy. Shapiro, who is seen as a potential running mate for Harris, endorsed her shortly after Biden's announcement but has since avoided questions about the campaign's vetting process. He remains focused on ensuring Pennsylvania votes Democratic in the upcoming election. In contrast, Whitmer clarified that she is not being considered for a vice-presidential role, despite earlier speculation. During the rally, Shapiro criticized former President Donald Trump, labeling him as “dangerous” and “destructive,” and accused him of avoiding debates with Harris. He also linked Trump to Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative, although Trump has denied that it forms part of his platform.