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Philadelphia mayor labels Shapiro as VP pick in post

Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, during a tour of the Philadelphia Youth Basketball facility at The Alan Horwitz "Sixth Man" Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris is zeroing in on a group of potential running mates, as she faces a two-week dash to make the biggest decision of her nascent presidential bid after President Joe Biden's stunning exit from the race accelerated what is typically a months-long vetting process. Photographer: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(NewsNation) — Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is causing confusion after naming Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on social media.

In a video posted on X, the mayor of Philadelphia seemed to indicate Shapiro has been chosen as Harris’ running mate.


According to Philadelphia Inquirer reporting, a source clarified that the post was only an endorsement for Shapiro — not an announcement of any sort: “This is just the mayor showing her support for a longtime friend who we know is one of the people being considered.”

Others, like journalist Ernest Owens, claim it was a total accident and was meant to be published Monday.

“I’m hearing there’s a ‘firestorm’ right now. I guess that’s an understatement,” Owens shared on X.

The official Democratic nominee is expected to announce her pick by Aug. 7. Harris is currently interviewing her possible partners. The Democratic short list includes Gov. Andy Beshear, Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Tim Walz and Shapiro, among others.

Governors Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer have both withdrawn themselves from consideration.