House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Tuesday that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro would have been a “stronger choice” for Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, suggesting that her “reluctance” to select the 51-year-old could be attributed to his “Jewish heritage.”
“It seems clear that this was a significant factor, that she hesitated to nominate a vice presidential candidate with Jewish heritage due to existing divisions within the Democratic Party,” Johnson conveyed to The Hill on Tuesday. “There’s a pro-Palestinian, and in some cases pro-Hamas, faction within the party.”
“Unfortunately for Josh Shapiro, his heritage is likely why he was passed over.”
Shapiro had often been cited as one of several candidates Harris was contemplating for her ticket, but on Tuesday she revealed that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her choice.
FORMER TOP VP CONTENDER SHOWS ‘ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT’ FOR HARRIS-WALZ TICKET AFTER NOT BEING CHOSEN
House Speaker Mike Johnson noted on Tuesday that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro would have made a “stronger choice” for Vice President Harris’ running mate, citing her hesitation rooted in his “Jewish heritage.” (Getty)
The two held their first rally together in Philadelphia on Tuesday, where Shapiro introduced Harris.
Johnson expressed that he didn’t want to label the decision as antisemitic “because I don’t — I just know that it was a significant element. I think it was quite obviously a significant factor. They made a political choice that seems unfortunate, and I believe they’ll come to regret it.”
Shapiro faced criticism from progressives concerning his stance on the conflict in Gaza and has received notably higher unfavorable ratings among Gen Z voters in a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll. His unfavorable ratings stood at 25%, contrasting with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Walz, who had 10% and 13% unfavorable ratings, respectively.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Although Shapiro has shown support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas, he has also been critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, describing him at one point as “one of the worst leaders of all time.”
KAMALA HARRIS SELECTS TIM WALZ: WAS THE DECISION BASED ON THE IDEA THAT JOSH SHAPIRO WAS TOO JEWISH TO BE VP?
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro introduced Harris and Walz during their first rally together in Philadelphia on Tuesday. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Representative Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., highlighted the “hypocrisy” of anti-Israel demonstrators who protested the Biden administration’s policies regarding Israel but showed support for Harris as long as Shapiro was not chosen.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential selection on Tuesday. (Matthew Hatcher/AFP via Getty Images)
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“The Anti-Israel activists who have been falsely accusing the Biden-Harris administration of enabling ‘genocide’ are suddenly supportive of Vice President Harris, but only if she chooses not to select Governor Shapiro as her running mate,” Torres remarked on X.
“It’s noteworthy that the pro-Israel perspectives of Governor Shapiro closely align with those of Vice President Harris. These hypocrites are being disingenuous, and their antisemitic undertones should not hold sway over the choice of a presidential running mate.”
Johnson’s office, Shapiro’s office, and the Harris campaign have yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comments.
