Many consider Kamala Harris’s decision to bypass Governor Josh Shapiro for the vice presidency last year a head-scratcher, writes Victor Fiorillo for Philadelphia Magazine.
Shapiro had just won praise for leading the rapid reopening of I-95 in Philadelphia, and his national profile was soaring. Now, in her new memoir 107 Days, Harris explains her reasoning.
Harris describes Shapiro as “poised, polished, and personable,” but writes that he made it clear he wanted a seat at the table for “each and every decision” she made. “A vice president is not a co-president,”
Harris notes, adding that she worried he might struggle with being second-in-command. Trust, she said, was critical, and she wasn’t sure Shapiro could fully embrace the role.
In one lighthearted detail, Harris shares that before she even interviewed Shapiro, he had already asked about the number of bedrooms in the official vice presidential residence, and whether he could borrow art from the Smithsonian to decorate.
As for Shapiro’s reaction? During an appearance on Meet the Press this past Sunday, the Abington native said he hasn’t cracked the book and doesn’t plan to. Instead, he brushed off the chatter, keeping his focus on Pennsylvania’s agenda.
Read more about Kamala Harris’s impression of Pennsylvania governor and Montco native Josh Shapiro in Philadelphia Magazine.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in September 2025.
