The Jewish governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, has given his full support to the Harris Walz ticket after he missed out on being Kamala’s running mate in the November election against Donald Trump.

Shapiro, a former lawyer, was tipped as one of the most likely picks for vice president candidate, making it to the final two choices but was passed over in favour of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Pennsylvania is a key state for the Democrats to win in the upcoming election, and has been narrowly supporting Donald Trump in polls for most of this year. 

In a statement, the swing state Democratic politician responded to the news saying: “My life in public service has always been motivated by my family and my faith. Since I first ran for State Representative 20 years ago, I’ve been called to serve because I want to leave our community, our Commonwealth, and our country better off for our children — and because my faith teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.” 

Shapiro, who is an observant Conservative (Masorti) Jew, said: “Nearly two weeks ago, Vice President Harris asked me to work with her team to complete the vetting process to be considered as her running mate — and following those conversations, on Sunday, I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with the Vice President directly about her vision for the role and the campaign ahead.”

Shapiro said the decision to run to be Harris’s running mate was “deeply personal.”

He said: “Pennsylvanians elected me to a four-year term as their Governor, and my work here is far from finished — there is a lot more stuff I want to get done for the good people of this Commonwealth. Serving as the 48th Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the highest honor of my life — showing up in your communities, listening to and learning from you, and then working across the aisle to get stuff done and deliver results for you.

“In just 19 months, we’ve made a meaningful, positive impact in people’s lives, and I’m proud of how Americans all across the country have taken notice of what we’re accomplishing here in Pennsylvania.”

Shapiro said he was now focused on “working to protect and advance real freedom, deliver good schools, safe communities, and economic opportunity.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks during a press conference regarding new gun legislation at the Bloomington City Hall on August 1, 2024 in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Photo: Getty Images)

He praised Harris and said she had his “enthusiastic support — and I know that Governor Tim Walz is an exceptionally strong addition to the ticket who will help Kamala move our country forward.”

Shapiro added: “Lori and I consider Tim and Gwen to be good friends of ours and we are excited for them and for the country to get to know the great people we know them to be.”

Shapiro said he would work over the next 90 days of the campaign to unite Pennsylvanians behind the Harris campaign to defeat Donald Trump.