The absence of Gov. Josh Shapiro from the 2024 presidential ticket isn’t just a loss for the Democratic Party.
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The absence of Gov. Josh Shapiro from the 2024 presidential ticket isn’t just a loss for the Democratic Party. It’s a missed opportunity that would have injected Pennsylvania into the national conversation once again. It’s a loss for America.
Being a good Philadelphian and a good Abingtonian aren’t really that different. That isn’t just because only ten miles separate the two. A strong resolve, sense of home, and appreciation of history are key characteristics for both - characteristics that Shapiro knows well.
Like me, Shapiro grew up in Abington. Our father’s made a career at the same community hospital, and we shared a great sense of that same community, which was founded on land where the Lenni Lenape Indians lived centuries ago. Josh Shapiro made a career of that ingrained sense of community.
Starting out in a small 153rd District office, Shapiro has risen from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to the chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, to the 50th attorney general of Pennsylvania, and finally its 48th governor.
As governor, Shapiro has looked out for minority communities. He opened the application window for small diverse businesses in Pennsylvania to utilize the American Rescue Plan Act to access $10.5 Million in federal funding. He also appointed the first Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer to lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts across Pennsylvania state Agencies. Shapiro is a man of the people.
The addition of Shapiro to the ticket wouldn’t have just provided the promise of Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes on Nov. 5, but also Pennsylvanians could be assured that Shapiro would remember where he came from and keep Pennsylvania in the national discussion.
In 2005, while he was running for the state House, Josh was standing outside of an Abington sporting event one night in the rain shaking hands with potential voters. As I walked by, I put my hand in the air, “No need to sell me, Josh,” I said. “I know that you come from a good, local family.”
Shapiro may have missed out on an opportunity for higher office this year, but not to worry. Shapiro someday will get his chance.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt
Abington
