OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A top candidate to become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate has emerged, though additional reports this week could dramatically impact her final decision.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has unexpectedly canceled his planned trip to the Hamptons, where he was set to engage with wealthy donors. The Democrat was scheduled to attend two prominent events, including a meet-and-greet at the upscale residence of renowned public relations executive Mike Kempner.
The abrupt change in plans is sparking speculation about Shapiro’s political future, potentially indicating preparations for a national role. The cancellation has fueled rumors that he might be considered as a running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, according to sources who spoke to CNBC.
“The Governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee,” Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder confirmed to the outlet “His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.”
The event set for Sunday was set to welcome over 100 guests from a range of sectors, such as legal, sports, and finance, as stated by a confidential source speaking freely with the outlet.
BREAKING: Polling shows that Josh Shapiro would be the best pick to be Kamala Harris’ Vice President. He will deliver Pennsylvania for Kamala Harris. Retweet this and spread the word. pic.twitter.com/rzminiy32l
— Shapiro’s Wins (@shapiroswins) July 30, 2024
Renowned for his high approval ratings, Shapiro, the former state attorney general, has emerged as a prominent candidate for a potential running mate, particularly due to his appeal in the crucial swing state. His popularity among some of Harris’ advisors has further fueled speculation. Additionally, Shapiro was scheduled to attend a fundraiser in East Hampton for The Next 50 on Saturday. The recent announcement of a week-long barnstorm campaign in Philadelphia by Harris’ campaign, set to begin next Tuesday, has only intensified rumors about Shapiro’s potential selection.
However, as appealing as he may be, a report surfaced on Friday that could complicate things for Harris’ decision to pick him.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to review an appeal from the family of a Philadelphia woman who was initially declared a homicide victim in 2011. The case took a dramatic turn when the medical examiner later reclassified it as a suicide following objections from police, Fox29 reported.
First-grade teacher Ellen Greenberg, 27, was discovered in her apartment with 20 stab wounds. Despite the nature of her injuries, police initially classified her death as a suicide due to the locked door from the inside and the absence of defensive wounds on her boyfriend, who claimed to have found her after breaking down the door.
Philadelphia Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne initially ruled her death a homicide, noting the large number of stab wounds, including 10 to the back of her neck. After police publicly challenged the findings, Osbourne switched the ruling to suicide without explanation. Subsequent reporting said that at least two of the stab wounds pierced the victim’s spine and occurred after she was dead.
The family of Greenberg disputed the ruling and, in 2021, appealed the decision to reclassify her death as a suicide to then-Pennsylvania AG Shapiro. In February 2022, his office again reaffirmed it as a suicide, not a homicide, which he previously did in 2019, CBS News reported exclusively at the time.
“The file of Ellen Greenberg is being closed by the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, according to a letter sent to the attorney of Greenberg’s parents. The letter shows the AG’s Office still supports suicide as the manner of death after it reviewed the case again, between December 2021 and January of this year,” the outlet reported.
“After reviewing the material, the facts still support the medical examiner’s finding of suicide,” Shapiro’s office said.
“I’m completely disgusted,” Sandra Greenberg, Ellen’s mother, said.
“These people disappointed me,” Josh Greenberg, Ellen’s father, added. “I think this is a vicious homicide.”
The family’s attorney, Joseph Podraza, agreed: “This cannot be suicide.”
Also, late last month, a Democrat candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania leveled a serious accusation against Shapiro.
Treasurer nominee Erin McClelland “appeared to accuse Shapiro of sexism and covering up sexual harassment,” going on to “imply he wouldn’t be satisfied playing second fiddle” to Harris, the New York Post reported, quoting a tweet she posted on Tuesday evening.
“I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug. I want someone that can speak to rural voters,” she wrote, endorsing North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
