Josh Shapiro’s VP Odds Skyrocket

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a leading contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris‘ running mate in the 2024 presidential election, with his odds dramatically increasing in recent days, according to new data.

According to Polymarket, the world’s largest prediction market for world events, Shapiro’s chances have surged to 42 percent as of Sunday, reportedly doubling over the weekend.

This sudden rise in Shapiro’s prospects comes at a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris last Sunday following weeks of interparty fighting among Democrats on whether he should pass the torch to the next generation after his debate fiasco against former President Donald Trump, the newly confirmed GOP presidential nominee, last month in Atlanta.

Newsweek has contacted Harris’ and Shapiro’s spokespeople for comment via email on Sunday.

Biden’s subsequent endorsement of Harris has positioned her as the presumptive Democratic nominee, with the critical task of selecting a running mate now at the forefront as the Democratic National Convention is set to begin in Chicago on August 19.

Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the process, that Harris has narrowed her list of potential running mates to three elected officials: Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The Polymarket odds reflect this shortlist, with Kelly at 30 percent and Walz at 15 percent, trailing Shapiro’s leading position.

Shapiro, 51, is a relative newcomer to the governor’s office, having taken the helm in January 2023. However, his political career in Pennsylvania spans nearly two decades, including six years as the state’s attorney general, terms in the state’s House of Representatives, and service on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

Despite his rising stock in the vice president race, Shapiro’s potential nomination has not been without controversy. A coalition of public education advocacy organizations recently urged Harris not to select Shapiro, citing his support for private school vouchers. The issue typically falls along partisan lines, with Republicans advocating for vouchers as a means to provide better opportunities, while Democrats and many educators argue that they divert funds from public education.

Shapiro’s record on education has been mixed. While he initially supported a $100 million school voucher program, he later vetoed it. In July, he signed a state budget that included a $1.1 billion increase for public schools, demonstrating a commitment to public education funding.

Manuel Bonder, Shapiro’s spokesperson, defended the governor’s record in a previous statement to Newsweek: “Governor Shapiro has consistently delivered historic increases in public education funding and finally, after decades of inaction, moved Pennsylvania towards adequately and equitably funding our public schools.”

As the Democratic National Convention approaches, speculation about Harris’ choice continues to intensify. The Harris campaign has remained discreet about the selection process, telling Bloomberg that the vice president has “directed her team to begin the process of vetting potential running mates.”

Other names mentioned in various reports as potential VP candidates include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

For Shapiro, the increased attention brings both opportunities and challenges. His record as governor will likely face intense scrutiny in the coming weeks, as will his ability to appeal to a national audience. Pennsylvania’s status as a crucial swing state adds another layer of strategic importance to his potential selection.