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Josh Shapiro

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Josh Shapiro
Shapiro in 2022
48thGovernor of Pennsylvania
Assumed office
January 17, 2023
LieutenantAustin Davis
Preceded byTom Wolf
Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office
January 17, 2017 – January 17, 2023
GovernorTom Wolf
Preceded byBruce Beemer
Succeeded byMichelle Henry
Chair of theMontgomery County Board of Commissioners
In office
January 3, 2012 – November 17, 2016
Preceded byJim Matthews
Succeeded byVal Arkoosh
Member of theMontgomery County Board of Commissioners
In office
January 3, 2012 – January 17, 2017
Preceded byJoe Hoeffel
Succeeded byKenneth Lawrence
Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives
from the153rddistrict
In office
January 4, 2005 – January 3, 2012
Preceded byEllen Bard
Succeeded byMadeleine Dean
Personal details
Born
Joshua David Shapiro

(1973-06-20)June 20, 1973(age 51)
Kansas City, Missouri,U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
(m.1997)
Children4
EducationUniversity of Rochester(BA)
Georgetown University(JD)
SignatureCursive signature in ink

Joshua David Shapiro[1](born June 20, 1973) is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2023 as the 48thgovernor of Pennsylvania.A member of theDemocratic Party,he was theattorney general of Pennsylvaniafrom 2017 to 2023 and served on theMontgomery County Board of Commissionersfrom 2012 to 2017.[2]

Raised inMontgomery County, Pennsylvania,Shapiro studied political science at theUniversity of Rochesterand earned hisJuris Doctordegree fromGeorgetown University.After that, he worked as a senior adviser to U.S. SenatorRobert Torricelli.Shapiro was elected to thePennsylvania House of Representativesin 2004, defeating formerRepublicanU.S. representativeJon D. Fox.He represented the153rd districtfrom 2005 to 2012. Shapiro was elected to theMontgomery County Board of Commissionersin 2011, marking the first time Republicans lost control of Montgomery County. Serving on the board from 2011 to 2017, he held the position of chairman, and in 2015, was also appointed chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency by GovernorTom Wolf.

Shapiro ran for Pennsylvania attorney general in2016,defeating RepublicanJohn Rafferty Jr.,and was reelected in2020.As attorney general, he released the findings of astatewide grand jury reportthat revealed the abuse of children by priests and coverup by church leaders; he also helped negotiate $1 billion for Pennsylvania as part of a national opioid settlement. Shapiro ran for governor of Pennsylvania in the2022 election.He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican nomineeDoug Mastrianoin the general election by a 14.8 percent margin.

Shapiro was reportedly one of the final two contenders inKamala Harris'svice presidential candidate selectionfor the2024 United States presidential election,with Harris ultimately choosing Minnesota GovernorTim Walz.[3][4][5][6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Shapiro was born on June 20, 1973, inKansas City, Missouri.[7]He spent a few years of his childhood on aU.S. Navybase where his father, Steven Shapiro, served as a medical officer,[8]before the family moved toDresher, Pennsylvania,a community inUpper Dublin TownshipinMontgomery County.[9]His father Steven now works as apediatricianat Pediatric Medical Associates inEast Norriton, Pennsylvania(previouslyRydal, Pennsylvania[10]), and his mother, Judi, worked as a teacher.[11]

Shapiro was raised in a Jewish household.[12]At age 6, through his synagogue, theBeth Sholom CongregationinElkins Park,and the Forman Hebrew Day School, he began writing letters to Avi Goldstein, a Soviet JewishrefusenikinTbilisi,Georgia,and enlisted others in an internationalpen-palprogram he called Children for Avi.[13][14][15]He attended high school atAkiba Hebrew AcademyinMerion Station, Pennsylvania.[16]While in high school, Shapiro spent time volunteering in Israel after he was "required to do a service project", which he and his peers completed through "a program that took them to akibbutzin Israel where he worked on a farm and at a fishery. "[17]The program also included service on an army base.[18]He was a basketball team captain during his senior year.[19]

Shapiro attended theUniversity of Rochester,majoring inpolitical science.In 1992, he was the first freshman ever elected student body president of the university. He graduated from the University of Rochestermagna cum laudein 1995. While working on Capitol Hill, he enrolled at theGeorgetown Law Centeras an evening student and earned hisJuris Doctorin 2002.[20]

Early career

[edit]

Capitol Hill

[edit]

After graduating from college, Shapiro moved toWashington, D.C.There, he began working in thepublic affairsdepartment of theIsraeli embassyin April 1996.[21]According to a Shapiro spokesperson, he worked there "to get foreign policy experience. His job largely involved educating the public about Israel."[21]In September, he began working for U.S. RepresentativePeter Deutsch.[21]He also worked as legislative assistant to U.S. SenatorCarl Levinand as a senior advisor to U.S. SenatorRobert Torricelli.[22]While working for Torricelli, Shapiro planned foreign affairs tours in the Middle East and Asia, including a trip toNorth Korea.[19]

From 1999 to 2003, Shapiro worked as chief of staff to U.S. RepresentativeJoe Hoeffel,who represented parts of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.[23]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

[edit]
Shapiro as a State Representative, 2009

In 2004, Shapiro ran for thePennsylvania House of Representativesin the153rd district.[22]He faced the Republican nominee, former CongressmanJon D. Fox.Shapiro trailed in polling at the beginning of the race, but he knocked on 10,000 doors and ran a campaign centered on increasing education funding and better access to health care.[19]He was elected by a margin of ten percentage points over Fox.[24]Shapiro was reelected in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

As a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, he built a reputation as a consensus builder who was willing to work across the aisle on a bipartisan basis.[25]Following the 2006 elections, Democrats controlled thePennsylvania State Houseby one seat, but the party was unable to unite behind a candidate forSpeaker of the House.Shapiro helped broker a deal that resulted in the election of moderate RepublicanDennis O'Brienas Speaker of the House. O'Brien subsequently named Shapiro as deputy speaker of the house.[26]In 2008, following revelations that Democratic House Minority leaderBill DeWeesewas involved ina corruption scandal,Shapiro called for him to step down, citing him as a "symbol of a broken system" and arguing that DeWeese remaining in leadership would hurt Democrats statewide in the 2008 elections.[27]

In 2007[28]and 2009,[29]Shapiro introduced three separate bills into the House todiveststate funds from Iran and later Sudan. The "bill and similar efforts around the country make a moral argument against investing in countries with a history of terror or genocide."[29]"The idea of pulling out of companies that do business with Iran is based on earlier such efforts that crippled the apartheid South African government. But thus far, the South African campaign has not been replicated."[30]In 2010, Shapiro, U.S. SenatorBob Casey,and State RepresentativeDan Frankelpushed for national legislation to allow states' pension funds to divest from business engaging withIran.[31]

While a state representative, Shapiro was one of the first public backers of then-SenatorBarack Obamafor president in 2008. This was in contrast with much of the Pennsylvania Democratic political establishment, which supportedHillary Clintonin the presidential primary.[32]

From 2006 through 2017, Shapiro also practicedcorporate lawat the firm Stradley, Ronon, Stevens, and Young in Philadelphia.[33]

Montgomery County Commissioner

[edit]
Shapiro at a tree-planting event, 2014

Shapiro won election to theMontgomery County Board of Commissionersin 2011. The election marked the first time in history that the Republican Party lost control of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.[34]Shapiro chaired the board from 2012 to 2016.[35]

Shapiro's commission duties centered onsocial servicesand administration.[19]Castor, the only Republican member of the board during Shapiro's tenure, praised Shapiro's work, calling him "the best county commissioner I ever knew" and "very good at arriving at consensus."[19]In 2016, Shapiro voted for an 11% tax increase, which was an average increase of $66 in property taxes.[36]During his tenure, the board of commissioners implemented zero-based budgeting and shifted county pension investments fromhedge fundstoindex funds.[34]Democrats retained a majority on the board of commissioners in the 2015 election, as Shapiro and his running mate, Val Arkoosh, both won election.[37]

In April 2015, GovernorTom Wolfnamed Shapiro the Chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.[38]

Pennsylvania Attorney General

[edit]
Shapiro at Gov.Tom Wolf's inauguration, 2019

Shapiro announced his candidacy forPennsylvania Attorney Generalin January 2016.[39]While he had practiced with Philadelphia's Stradley Ronon firm and chaired the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, he had never served as a prosecutor.[40]Shapiro campaigned on his promise to restore the office's integrity followingKathleen Kane's resignation and also promised to work to combatthe opioid epidemic[26]andgun violence.

His campaign was supported by PresidentBarack Obama,presidential candidateHillary Clinton,and businessman and formerMayor of New York CityMichael Bloomberg,who was among the largest donors to Shapiro's campaign.[41]He won the Democratic primary for attorney general in April 2016, defeatingStephen Zappalaand John Morganelli with 47 percent of the vote.[42]In November 2016, Shapiro narrowly defeated the Republican nominee, State SenatorJohn Rafferty Jr.,with 51.3 percent of the vote.[43]

Shapiro was reelected in 2020, defeating Republican nominee Heather Heidelbaugh with 50.9% of the vote.[44]He received 3,461,472 votes, the most of any candidate in Pennsylvania history, and outranJoe Bidenin the concurrent presidential election.[19]

Tenure

[edit]
Shapiro with SenatorBob Casey Jr.,2021

Before Shapiro took office in 2016, the Pennsylvania Attorney's General office launched an investigation of allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by members of theCatholic Church.Shapiro inherited the investigation, and in August 2018 released the results of anextensive grand jury report.The report alleged the sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by over 300 priests.[20]It prompted similar investigations in other states into the Catholic Church, such as an inquiry launched by then-Missouri Attorney GeneralJosh Hawley.[45]

In 2017, Shapiro announced the roundup of a "Million Dollar Heroin Ring" under "Operation Outfoxed" in Luzerne County.[46]One of those arrested was Maura Kathio,[47]previously charged in a majorbath saltscase in 2016.[48][49]All the charges in Operation Outfoxed were dismissed after allegations that the attorney general's office mishandled the sealing of wiretapped recordings.[50][51]

In January 2018,Centre CountyDistrict Attorney Bernard Cantorna referred the case of thedeath of Tim Piazza,a Penn State student who was hazed, to Shapiro, because Cantorna had previously served as a criminal defense attorney for one of the defendants.[52]Multiple defendants pleaded guilty.

In early April 2018, Shapiro charged formerBedford Countydistrict attorneyWilliam Higgins with 31 counts of misdemeanorcorruption,accusing Higgins of soliciting sexual favors from accused criminals in exchange for recommending lenient sentences and revealing the names of policeinformants.If convicted by a jury on all charges, Higgins would have faced a maximum sentence of 62 years in prison. Instead, in May, Shapiro offered Higgins aplea bargain,which Higgins accepted: he pleaded guilty to all 31 charges in return for a guarantee of no jail time.[53][54]

In August 2018,Philadelphia District AttorneyLarry Krasnerreferred the case of the fatal shooting of Jeffrey Dennis by a Philadelphia police officer to Shapiro, because Krasner had previously served as Dennis's criminal defense attorney. Dennis was in his car when he was "box[ed] in" by undercover officers inunmarked vehicles;three officers were injured after Dennis tried to evade them.[55][56]In December, Shapiro announced no charges would be filed against the officers, saying, "violations of police procedure do not always rise to the level of criminal charges".[56][57]Dennis's family subsequently sued the officer and city of Philadelphia for the incident.[58]

In 2019, Shapiro led efforts to ensure that insurance holders ofHighmark,a healthcare company, could receive treatment at theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center.[59]The settlement allowed 1.9 million insurance recipients to continue using their existing doctors as in-plan providers rather than being forced to switch either medical providers or insurance providers.[citation needed]

When serving on the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons as attorney general in 2019, Shapiro cast the fewest votes in favor of commutation, denying 24 out of 41 pardons and being one of only two board members to vote against more cases than in favor.[60]

In May 2019,Lancaster CountynewspaperLNPreported that members of Shapiro's office staff had edited Shapiro's Wikipedia entry to describe him "as a 'rising progressive star' who has 'earned a reputation as a consensus builder eager to take on the status quo and challenge powerful institutions to protect the people of Pennsylvania'". Staffers for Auditor GeneralEugene DePasquale,Senate Minority LeaderJay Costa,and Senate Majority LeaderJake Cormanalso reportedly edited their bosses' Wikipedia pages. The then-executive directorof thePennsylvania State Ethics Commissionsaid that he did not see this practice as illegal under the state's ethics law.[61]

In December 2019, Shapiro charged State RepresentativeMovita Johnson-Harrellwith perjury and theft of funds from her own charity for such things as vacations and clothing.[62]

Shapiro was one of 20 electors thePennsylvania Democratic Partychose to vote in theElectoral CollegeforJoe Bidenand his running mateKamala Harrisin2020 United States presidential election.[63]

Shapiro and Governor Wolf at a press conference in June 2019

In 2021, Shapiro announced an opioid settlement withJohnson & Johnsonand three other U.S. pharmaceutical distributors that resulted in Pennsylvania receiving $1 billion.[64]The settlement resolved thousands of lawsuits against the companies for their role in fueling theopioid epidemic.[64]

Shapiro supported enforcing Pennsylvania'santi-boycott lawagainstBen & Jerry'safter the ice cream maker announced that it would not renew its license in theOccupied Palestinian Territories.Shapiro calledBDSa "stain" that Governor Wolf was right to prevent from taking hold in Pennsylvania and said it "is rooted in antisemitism."[65]

In July 2021, Shapiro charged State RepresentativeMargo L. Davidsonwith theft by deception, solicitation to hinder apprehension, and Election Code violations after stealing from the Commonwealth by filing fraudulent overnightper diemrequests and various other expenses through thePennsylvania House of RepresentativesComptroller's Office as well as hindering a state prosecution.[66]

In August 2021, Shapiro settled the largest prevailing wage criminal case in U.S. history. Under the plea, Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., paid nearly $21 million to 1,267 Pennsylvania workers.[67]

Shapiro joined several other state attorneys general in opposing PresidentDonald Trump'stravel ban,[68]and also sued Trump to block the implementation of a rule that would have made it easier for employers to deny health insurance coverage ofcontraceptives.[69]He also joined a lawsuit againstITT Technical Institute,afor-profit educational institute,that resulted in a $168 million settlement (with about $5 million of that going to Pennsylvania students).[70]In 2018, he reached an agreement with federal officials to prevent the distribution of blueprints for3D printed firearms.[71]In 2019, he came out in support of the legalization of recreationalcannabisuse by adults, joining GovernorTom Wolfand other leading Pennsylvania Democrats.[72]

2022 gubernatorial campaign

[edit]
Shapiro's 2022 gubernatorial campaign logo

Shapiro had long been expected to run forgovernor of Pennsylvania,and on October 13, 2021, he announced his candidacy in the2022 election.In January 2022, Shapiro's campaign reported it had $13.4 million in campaign funds, which was described as a record amount for a candidate in an election year.[73]Shapiro faced no opponents in the Democratic primary, and secured the nomination on May 17, 2022.[74]He faced Republican nomineeDoug Mastrianoin the general election.

Shapiro ran on a platform of protectingvoting rights,abortion rights,and raising theminimum wageto $15 an hour. His campaign was criticized by some progressives because of his support forcapital punishmentfor "heinous crimes", his public feuds withPhiladelphia District AttorneyLarry Krasner,and his compromising withpolice unionsto pass police reform bills.[75]Efforts to enlist a progressive primary challenge to Shapiro were unsuccessful.[75]Shapiro later changed his position, now saying he opposes capital punishment and would sign a bill to abolish it.[76]

During the leadup to the primary election, Shapiro's campaign released a statewide televised advertisement calling a Mastriano win "a win for whatDonald Trumpstands for ", referencing Mastriano's stance on outlawing abortion and his efforts to audit the2020 presidential election.The ad was seen as an "endorsement" of the Republican candidate Shapiro would want to face in the general election, with Mastriano seen as too extreme for swing voters to elect.[77][78]Mastriano won the Republican primary and his closest opponent, former CongressmanLou Barletta,later said that Shapiro's ads likely helped.[79]The impact of Shapiro's ads on the primary is disputed as Mastriano was already in the lead.[80]

Platform

[edit]
Shapiro discusses protecting abortion access, December 2021

Shapiro has said that as governor he would protect abortion access in Pennsylvania and veto any bill the state legislature passes that restricts or outlaws abortion.[81]

Before running for governor, Shapiro had supported capital punishment for what he called "heinous crimes". During his campaign, he announced that he now favored abolishing the death penalty in Pennsylvania, a reversal of his previous position.[76]Shapiro was asked in a 2022 interview withPennsylvania Capital-Starwhy his position changed, to which he responded:

[The] question is a fair one... When I ran for [attorney general] in 2016, I said that the death penalty should be reserved for the most heinous of crimes. But then I got elected attorney general and I saw these cases come across my desk. I got closer to a system that I thought was in need of reform. And as attorney general I never once sought the death penalty. As governor, I'd be in a policymaking role, together with the Legislature... and I thought it was important when asked to state my position unequivocally that I would sign legislation to abolish the death penalty.

Shapiro also said he would not sign any future death warrants for prisoners on death row.[82]

Shapiro supports cutting Pennsylvania's nearly 10 percent corporate tax rate to 4 percent by 2025. He has proposed hiring 2,000 additional police officers across Pennsylvania, saying, the "more police officers we hire, the more opportunities we have for them to get out of their patrol cars, walk the beat, learn the names of the kids in the communities".[83]Shapiro favors pardoning those convicted for possession of small amount of marijuana.[84]

On efforts to mitigateCOVID-19,Shapiro has broken with some in the Democratic Party and opposesmaskandvaccine mandates.[85]He prefers educating the public about vaccines' efficacy.[85]Shapiro is also skeptical about Pennsylvania joining theRegional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,a market-based program to reduce somegreenhouse gasemissions.[86]He has proposed expanding Pennsylvania'sclean energyportfolio for utility companies, greaterelectric carinfrastructure and investing in clean energy research and development.[87]Shapiro supports a Lifeline Scholarship bill, which creates education savings accounts for children in failing public schools that can be spent on approved expenses including tutoring, instructional materials and private school tuition.[88]

Shapiro has proposed a plan that will allow for a $250 gas tax refund per personal passenger vehicle up to four vehicles per household. He proposed funding the proposal with funds from theAmerican Rescue Plan.[89]On the issue of vocational training, Shapiro has proposed increasing career and technical training in high schools, tripling state funding for apprenticeships and union skills programs, and creating a Pennsylvania office of workforce development.[90][91]He also supports eliminating four-year degree requirements for state government jobs.[91]Shapiro is a supporter of unions and has vowed to veto any"right to work"legislation.[92]

Endorsements and support

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Shapiro defeated Mastriano in the2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial electionby approximately 15 percent

Before his announcement, term-limited GovernorTom Wolfendorsed Shapiro.[93][94]He received endorsements from former GovernorEd Rendell,State SenatorAnthony H. Williams,formerPennsylvania Democratic PartychairMarcel Groen,and thePlanned Parenthood Action Fund.He was endorsed by theSEIUPennsylvania State Council, four SEIU local unions consisting of over 80,000 SEIU members in the state.[95]

On January 29, 2022, thePennsylvania Democratic Partyendorsed him byvoice vote.The committee also endorsed his preferred running mate, State RepresentativeAustin Davis.[96]Other union support included the Philadelphia Carpenters Union and Sheet Metal workers, the Western Pennsylvania Laborers' PAC, and the Electricians Union Local No. 5 in Pittsburgh.[97]

Eight former Republican officials, including former Pennsylvania Supreme Court JusticeSandra Schultz Newmanand former CongressmanCharlie Dent,as well as the sitting Republican chairman of theLawrence CountyBoard of Commissioners, Morgan Boyd, endorsed Shapiro, with several calling Mastriano "extreme" and "divisive".[98]Seven more former Republican officials, including former U.S. Secretary of Homeland SecurityMichael Chertoff,endorsed Shapiro in August 2022 for the same reason.[99]

Results

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On November 8, 2022, Shapiro defeated Mastriano with 56.5% of the vote to Mastriano's 41.7%.[100]Shapiro carried 17 counties.[100]

Governor of Pennsylvania (2023–present)

[edit]
Shapiro meeting with members of thePennsylvania National Guardduring training atHarrisburg International Airport,February 2023

On January 17, 2023, Shapiro was sworn in on a stack of threeHebrew Bibles,including one that was on thebimahduring thePittsburgh synagogue shooting.Long weaving his Jewish identity into his politics, Shapiro is considered part of the new age of Jewish politicians who are open about their identity.[101]He is the third Jewish governor in thehistory of Pennsylvania,afterMilton ShappandEd Rendell.[102]He is also the state's firstGeneration Xgovernor.[103]

Cabinet

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On December 6, 2022, during his transition to the governorship, it was reported that Shapiro tapped several of his longtime aides to serve in high-ranking positions, including naming hiscampaign managerDana Fritz as his chief of staff.[104]In January 2023, he appointed Akbar Hossain, an executive to his transition team, to be secretary of policy and named his longtime aideMike Verebto be secretary of legislative affairs.[105]Vereb served in that position until he resigned in late September after he was accused of sexual harassment of a female staffer. He was replaced by Thomas "T. J." Yablonski, a senior adviser in the governor's office.[106]

Shapiro's administration was accused of covering up the sexual harassment incident after it was revealed Vereb had remained in his position months after the accusations were made.[107]Shapiro defended his administration's actions, saying that an investigation into the allegations against Vereb is under way. He added, "Obviously these investigations—and again, I'm speaking generally, and I think it's really important that you understand that—these things don't happen overnight. They can be lengthy processes. But it's important, and I know this from my time as attorney general advocating for victims, it's really important to make sure that everyone be heard and that the process be thorough and complete."[108]Weeks later,Spotlight PArevealed that, three weeks before Vereb's resignation, Shapiro's administration had reached a settlement for $295,000 with Vereb's accusers that included a clause preventing all parties involved from publicly discussing its details.[109][110]

Fiscal policies

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By the end of 2023, Shapiro's first year in office, Pennsylvania's credit rating had increased one time (from AA- to AA) according toStandard & Poor,Fitch Ratings,andMoody's Investors Service.[111]During his first year in office, he proposed loweringcorporate income taxesfrom 8.99% to 4.99% by 2026.[112]At an event withJanet Yellenin July 2024, Shapiro reiterated his support for "aggressive" corporate tax cuts.[113][a]

In February 2024, Shapiro unveiled his proposed $48.3 billion state budget for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year, mostly consisting of funding public schools, public transit, higher education and infrastructure, with tax collections projected to increase by $1 billion.[114]Critics argued that the budget would inflate the state's deficit to over $6 billion by 2028 and lead to large tax increases.[115]Ultimately, Shapiro rolled back some of his proposals and signed a $47.6 billion budget in July.[116]

Workforce

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As governor, Shapiro said he has focused on expanding Pennsylvania's workforce.[117][118]The day after his inauguration, he signed anexecutive ordereliminating the four-year college degree requirement for 92% of state government jobs.[119]On July 31, he issued an executive order establishing the Commonwealth Workers Transformation Program (CWTP), which provides grants to ensure that companies and contractors have the skilled workforce required.[118][120]As part of the program, as much as $400 million could be used for workforce training in Pennsylvania until 2028.[120]

On August 28, Shapiro announced that the college education requirement for state police cadets had been eliminated amid a decline in police applicants.[121][122]In September, he signed an executive order that established anartificial intelligenceboard to "assist employees in serving Pennsylvanians, keeping our communities safe and growing our economy".[123]In March 2024, he issued a directive increasing Pennsylvania's use ofProject Labor Agreements(PLAs).[124]In May, he issued an executive order establishing the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower (HIRE) Committee to attempt to fill in roughly 600 open positions in the state government as well as ensuring the retention of high-performing employees.[125]

Pensions and employee contracts

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After assuming office, Shapiro pledged to decrease the power outside investment contractors' have over statepension funds.[126]During his first year in office, he appointed financers Wendell Young, Uri Monson, and Bob Mensch to theState Employees' Retirement System (SERS),a $35 billion-asset board that manages pension reform.[127]On November 6, Shapiro appointed Gregory C. Thall, a former budget secretary under Wolf, as the new chairman of SERS after Chris Santa Maria announced his retirement.[128]

Over three days in December 2023, dozens ofPhiladelphiatransit officers staged astrikeover a contract dispute withSEPTA,a standoff that had begun over eight months earlier.[129]Shapiro intervened in the strike and negotiated with the officers and SEPTA, leading to a three-year contract that included a 13% raise increase for the officers over the next 36 months.[130]SEPTAchief executive officerLeslie Richards said Shapiro played "a key role bringing people together to forge this agreement".[131]

On several occasions, Shapiro has proposed raising Pennsylvania'sminimum wagefrom$7.25 per hour to $15.[132]In June 2023, thePennsylvania House of Representativesvoted to pass a bill that would increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2026, but the Republican-controlledState Senatethwarted the legislation.[133]Shapiro had hinted he would have signed the bill into law if it had passed both chambers of the General Assembly, as Pennsylvania had not raised the minimum wage since 2009.[134]In 2024, Shapiro and other Democratic lawmakers attempted to include a raise in the minimum wage in that year's state budget, but due to Republican criticism, the proposal was withdrawn.[135]

Transportation

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Shapiro explaining details of theInterstate 95 highway collapseto PresidentJoe Biden,June 2023

In February 2023, Shapiro criticized the management of theNorfolk Southern Railwayafter it failed to contact Pennsylvania officials followingthe derailment of a train carrying harmful chemicalsin Ohio, adjacent to the Pennsylvania border. He called for the railway company to take "a safer overall approach" and called on thePipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrationto revisit the need for more advanced safety and braking equipment in trains.[136]

On June 11, 2023, Shapiro issued a "disaster emergency" proclamation after part ofInterstate 95collapsed in Philadelphia.As much as $7 million in state funds were provided for reconstruction work.[137]The proclamation also authorized the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, thePennsylvania Department of Transportation,and thePennsylvania State Policeto use available resources to respond to the collapse.[137]

Under Shapiro's leadership, the collapsed portion of I-95 was rebuilt in less than two weeks. Shapiro received praise for his response to the collapse.[138]President Biden said that Shapiro did "one heck of a job" in responding to the collapse; Minority LeaderBrian J. O'Neillof thePhiladelphia City Councilsaid, "you couldn't ask for more from the governor."[138]AQuinnipiac Universitypoll found that 74% of statewide voters approved of Shapiro's handling of the crisis.[139]

Shapiro proposed investing $282.8 million (a 1.75% increase) in funding for public transit systems in the 2024 budget, which would generate $1.5 billion for transit funding until 2029.[140]The initial funding proposal was dropped from the budget in July, andSEPTAwas given an $80.5 million budget extension to keep it solvent until the fall legislative session.[141]

Education

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During the drafting of the state budget in mid-2023, Shapiro supported a Republican-ledschool choiceproposal that would distribute $100 million to families for private school tuition instead of sending their children to public schools.[142]He later dropped his support to avoid a protracted budget delay after Democrats in the state House refused to support it.[143]Early in his term, Shapiro had pledged to continue the Wolf administration's free breakfast program for all of Pennsylvania's public-school students.[144]It was included as a part of the 2023 state budget Shapiro signed into law in August.[145][146]Lawyers for several state school districts, along with multipleprogressiveorganizations, criticized Shapiro and argued his budget proposals had not done enough to benefit low-income schools.[144]

Shapiro proposed a $1.1 billion boost for public school operations and instruction during the drafting of the 2024 budget, a 14% increase from the previous year.[147]Through the 2024 budget, about $144 million would financially aid students, a roughly 33% increase, some through existing programs and some through new efforts. A new State Board of Higher Education was established that created performance-based criteria for funding state-related universities.[116]Additionally, the budget initiated over $900 million for special education.[148]

Immigration

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In January and February 2024, the Republican-controlledState Senateurged Shapiro to send thePennsylvania National Guardto theU.S. southern borderto helpTexasresolve the growing numbers of migrants entering the country, but he declined to do so.[149][150]In March, after the Senate passed a resolution to send troops to the border, a spokesperson for the governor's office said that it was up toCongress,not Shapiro, to resolve the issue.[151]

Crime

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In December 2023, Shapiro signed into law a bipartisan bill to restrict the kinds of activities that are considered violations ofparole.At the bill-signing ceremony, he stood next to rapperMeek Mill,who was sent to prison on a parole violation for doing awheelieon a dirt bike.[152]

In his second month in office, Shapiro pledged to continue the pause on state-level executions Governor Wolf had maintained. He also called on thePennsylvania General Assemblyto abolish the death penalty.[153]In 2024, Shapiro filed a brief in support of an Allegheny County inmate appealing his life without parole sentence. The inmate, Derek Lee, was convicted of second degree murder for the actions of his accomplice during a burglary.[154][155]

Other issues

[edit]
Shapiro with Maryland governorWes Mooreat thePreakness StakesinBaltimore,May 2023

In August 2023, Shapiro announced his administration would end Pennsylvania's nearly 30-year contract with Real Alternatives, an anti-abortion nonprofit that fundsanti-abortion counseling centersandmaternity homes.Shapiro said he decided to end the contract to better defend abortion access in the state.[156][157]On September 19, 2023, Shapiro announced Pennsylvania would enactautomatic voter registrationeffective immediately. The process will include voter registration when voting-eligible persons receive their driver's licenses, with the choice to opt out.[158][159]

Shapiro condemned theattempted assassination of Donald Trumpat a rally inButler, Pennsylvania,where a stray bullet killed one rally goer. Shapiro said the man "died a hero" protecting his family at the rally and ordered that flags be flown athalf-mastin his honor.[160][161]

President Biden's faltering June 2024debate performanceagainst Trump sparked speculation about whether Shapiro might mount a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination should Biden drop out of the race. Shapiro denied any interest in running for president and declared his continued support for Biden.[162][163]After Biden eventuallywithdrew,Shapiro endorsed Vice PresidentKamala Harris,Biden's pick to replace him,[164]and encouraged Democrats to unite in supporting Harris.[165]His quick endorsement of Harris led to speculation that Shapiro could become her running mate.[166][167]He was seen as a front-runner for the nomination, potentially helping Harris win Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the election, but faced criticism from the Democratic Party's left flank for some of his moderate positions. Shapiro also reportedly expressed hesitation about leaving the governor's office. Harris ultimately selectedMinnesotaGovernorTim Walz.[168][169]

Views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

[edit]

Shapiro is a longtime, steadfast supporter of Israel, and favors a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.[170][171]His record of statements on the conflict has received criticism fromleft-wingcritics in the Democratic Party.[170]

Shapiro's history of support forIsraelreceived renewed attention due to his prominence as a potential vice-presidential pick in 2024.[172]Shapiro's supporters allege that his critics unfairly scrutinized his position on the conflict due to his Jewish identity.[173]Critics of Shapiro rejected this assertion, pointing to the relative lack of criticism leveled atJ.B. Pritzker,another possible Harris running mate who is Jewish, and insisting that the differences between Shapiro's stance and those of governors such asTim WalzandAndy Beshearare more pronounced than his supporters claim.[174]

During high school, Shapiro spent five months studying in Israel and volunteering for theIsrael Defense Forces.In 1993, he published in theCampus Timesstudent newspaper an op-ed titled "Peace not Possible", in which he claimed that peace "will never come" to the Middle East. ThePhiladelphia Inquirerquoted it as follows: "Palestinians will not coexist peacefully. They do not have the capabilities to establish their own homeland and make it successful even with the aid of Israel and the United States. They are too battle-minded to be able to establish a peaceful homeland of their own." He also wrote that he believed then-Palestinian leaderYasser Arafatwas in danger of being assassinated by "his fellow belligerent Arabs". In 2024, a spokesperson for Shapiro said that Shapiro's position had changed since he wrote the op-ed and that he now supports atwo-state solution.[175][176]

In the 1993 article, Shapiro called himself "a past volunteer in the Israeli army",[175]who had spent five months studying in the country.[177]Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Shapiro, also spoke withThe Times of Israelto clarify his volunteer work in Israel, and said that while in high school, Shapiro completed a service project with other classmates at akibbutzthat included volunteering on a military base operated by theIsrael Defense Forces.He clarified that Shapiro was "at no time engaged in any military activities".[178]In 1996, Shapiro spent six months working for theHasbara(public affairs) department of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.[21]

Shapiro has supported cutting off state ties with entities that engage inboycotts of Israel,such as theBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions(BDS) movement, or ofIsraeli settlementsin theoccupied West Bank.In 2021, afterBen & Jerry'sannounced that it planned to end sales in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem while seeking to continue sales in Israel through a different arrangement,[179][180][181]Shapiro reportedly supported calls to utilize Pennsylvania's anti-BDS law on Ben & Jerry's.[182]At the time, he said that BDS was "rooted in antisemitism" and praised Pennsylvania's anti-BDS law, which was signed five years earlier.[182]The organizationsJ StreetandT'ruahhave opposed similar laws on the ground that they violate theFirst Amendment.[183]In 2024, according to a spokesperson, he pledged to sign a bill to block state funding of colleges and universities that engage in a "boycott or divestment from Israel", a term the bill defines to include any activity "intended to financially penalize the State of Israel".[184][185]

Shapiro has repeatedly voiced support for Israel in theIsrael–Hamas war.He called on people and governments to condemn the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel,calling it a moment "to recognize what is so clearly wrong, the acts of Hamas, and what is right, and that is Israel, our key ally's right to defend herself in the face of this barbarism."[186]Shapiro faced criticism for his remarks in a letter written byCAIRand signed by 43 Pennsylvania Muslim organizations, which said that Shapiro did not "recognize the structural root causes of the conflict" and "chose to intentionally ignore the civilian loss of life in Gaza".[187]In an interview, Shapiro agreed that the Palestinian population is distinct from Hamas and said, "There are so many peace-loving Arabs and peace-loving people in that region, no question."[188]

On December 3, 2023, apro-Palestinian protestaccused Jewish-owned Philadelphia restaurantGoldieof supporting thealleged genocide of Palestiniansin theGaza Stripby sending the restaurant's profits to a provider of protective gear and training for theIsrael Defense Forcesduring the war.[189][190][191]Shapiro visited the restaurant in a show of support and said, "The purposeful gathering of a mob outside of a restaurant simply because it is owned by a Jewish person, well, that's antisemitism, plain and simple."[189]He also criticizedUniversity of PennsylvaniapresidentLiz Magillfor "failure of leadership" and pressured the university to compel her resignation after she sidestepped questions during the2023 United States Congress hearing on antisemitism.[190][192]On December 13, Shapiro gave more detailed remarks on the war, saying, "Israel not only has a right, they have a responsibility to rid the region of Hamas and the terror that Hamas can perpetrate." He called on the U.S. to "help support the Israeli people once the battle is over in finding their footing again."[193]

Shapiro has repeatedly criticized Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahufor his handling of the conflict.[171][194]In November 2023, he called Netanyahu "a terrible leader" who "has driven Israel to an extreme that has been bad for Israel and bad for the stability in the Middle East."[194]In January 2024, he said "I personally believe Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the worst leaders of all time and has steered Israel in a wrong direction, and made Israel less safe and made their future less bright because of his leadership."[171]

In a March 2024 interview, Shapiro voiced sympathy for Palestinian civilians and peaceful protesters, saying, "we also can't ignore the death and the destruction that's occurred in Gaza. For those who are peacefully protesting, I support their right to do that and I'll defend that, and I want to make sure they feel heard. And I think in Pennsylvania, they do feel heard."[195]In April 2024, Shapiro condemnedpro-Palestinian protests at American collegesafter a prominent rabbi atColumbia Universityurged Jewish students to leave campus and said the university could not guarantee their safety. He called on local officials to "step in and enforce the law" to protect students.[196]Shapiro has been accused of comparing protesters towhite supremacistsand theKu Klux Klan(KKK),[197]saying that demonstrators were not "by any stretch" all antisemitic but suggesting that antisemitic speech is treated more leniently than white supremacist speech,[198][199]and comparing students allegedly being "blocked from going to campus just because they're Jewish" to the actions of the KKK, saying, "we have to be careful about setting any kind of double standard" when responding to the conduct of far-right and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.[200][201]Those defending Shapiro's comments observed that he had made the KKK comparisons specifically about those who had called for the deaths of Jews, not all pro-Palestinian protesters, and that he supported peaceful demonstrators. Shapiro said: "It's right for young people to righteously protest and question."[173]

In May 2024, Shapiro called for a police crackdown on the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Pennsylvania,[202]but later said he was already aware of police plans to disband the encampment after police made arrests less than 24 hours after Shapiro's statement.[203]Critics of Shapiro have said that he has exaggerated and misrepresented the threat student demonstrators pose to their peers. Rafael Shimunov wrote, "The leap of logic in which Shapiro engaged by suggesting they posed a threat to Jewish safety relies on a perception of Jews who are pro-Palestinian as less Jewish than Jews who are pro-Israel, and a belief that any ideological disagreement with pro-Israel Jews is a kind of violence."[174]First Amendmentadvocates have criticized Shapiro for a revision to the state employees' code of conduct prohibiting "scandalous" behavior. Pro-Palestinian and Muslim groups raised concerns that the order was intended to chill speech related to theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict.One First Amendment lawyer fromBryn Mawrcalled the regulation "impossible to adhere to because it's impossible to understand what it applies to."[204]

Personal life

[edit]

Shapiro met his wife,Lori,in ninth grade as they both attended Akiba Hebrew Academy, nowJack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy,then inMerion Station.[205]They dated in high school and reconnected after college while both were living in Washington, D.C.[205]Shapiro proposed to her inJerusalemin 1997.[15]They married on May 25 of that year.[206]

Shapiro and his wife have four children and reside in theGovernor's ResidenceinHarrisburg, Pennsylvania.[207]Shapiro is an observantConservative Jewwhokeeps kosher.[15][24]

Electoral history

[edit]
2004 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election,District 153[208]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro 18,237 54.32
Republican Jon D. Fox 15,022 44.74
Libertarian Matthew Wusinich 316 0.94
Total votes 33,575 100.00
DemocraticgainfromRepublican
2006 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election,District 153[209]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro (incumbent) 19,712 75.97
Republican Lou Guerra Jr. 6,226 24.00
Write-in 9 0.03
Total votes 25,947 100.00
Democratichold
2008 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election,District 153[210]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro (incumbent) Unopposed
Total votes 33,165 100.00
Democratichold
2010 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election,District 153[211]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro (incumbent) 17,430 70.10
Republican Tom Bogar 7,426 29.87
Write-in 7 0.03
Total votes 24,863 100.00
Democratichold
2011Montgomery County Board of Commissionerselection[212]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro 89,103 26.99
Democratic Leslie Richards 87,109 26.39
Republican Bruce Castor(incumbent) 77,732 23.55
Republican Jenny Brown 76,057 23.04
Write-in 81 0.02
Total votes 330,082 100.00
DemocraticgainfromRepublican
2015Montgomery County Board of Commissionerselection[213]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro (incumbent) 97,212 30.90
Democratic Val Arkoosh(incumbent) 88,958 28.27
Republican Joe Gale 65,740 20.90
Republican Steven Tolbert Jr. 62,644 19.91
Write-in 64 0.02
Total votes 314,618 100.00
Democratichold
2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election,Democratic primary[214]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro 725,168 47.0
Democratic Stephen Zappala 566,501 36.8
Democratic John Morganelli 250,097 16.2
Total votes 1,541,766 100.0
2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election[214]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Josh Shapiro 3,057,010 51.39 −4.75
Republican John Rafferty 2,891,325 48.61 +7.05
Total votes 5,948,335 100.0 N/A
Democratichold
2020 Pennsylvania Attorney General election[215]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Josh Shapiro (incumbent) 3,461,472 50.85 −0.56
Republican Heather Heidelbaugh 3,153,831 46.33 −2.28
Libertarian Daniel Wassmer 120,489 1.77 N/A
Green Richard L. Weiss 70,804 1.04 N/A
Total votes 6,806,596 100.0
Democratichold
2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election,Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Shapiro Unopposed
Total votes 1,226,107 100.0
2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election[216]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic
3,031,137 56.49 −1.28
Republican 2,238,477 41.71 +1.01
Libertarian
  • Matt Hackenburg
  • Tim McMaster
51,611 0.96 −0.02
Green
  • Christina DiGiulio
  • Michael Bagdes-Canning
24,436 0.46 −0.09
Keystone
  • Joe Soloski
  • Nicole Shultz
20,518 0.38 N/A
Total votes 5,366,179 100.0 N/A
Turnout 60.53
Registered electors 8,864,831
Democratichold

Publications

[edit]

Articles

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^"We needed to have a more advantageous tax environment for our businesses, and it was one component of an overall strategy in order to grow jobs and create more economic opportunity in Pennsylvania. I am competitive as hell [with other states, which is] why I've been so aggressively working to cut business taxes."

References

[edit]
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  4. ^Nichols, Hans (August 2, 2024)."Harris VP mystery: Signs point to Shapiro".Axios.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  5. ^Bose, Nandita; Shalal, Andrea (August 6, 2024)."Kamala Harris vice president choice narrows to Walz, Shapiro, sources say".Reuters.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
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  10. ^"Pediatric Medical Associates list of doctors".
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  12. ^JC Reporter (July 21, 2024)."Who is Josh Shapiro? The potential first Jewish vice president".The Jewish Chronicle.
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  14. ^Ullery, Chris (October 18, 2021)."Josh Shapiro wants to be the next governor of PA. How his Abington and Montco roots shaped his political career".Bucks County Courier Times.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  15. ^abcKornbluh, Jacob (August 31, 2022)."Josh Shapiro traces bid for Pennsylvania governor to his childhood work for Soviet Jews".The Forward.RetrievedSeptember 3,2022.
  16. ^Cohen, Jason (February 17, 2016)."Josh Shapiro ready for next phase of career".Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.
  17. ^Farooq, Umar A."US: Josh Shapiro's 'volunteer' work for Israeli army scrutinised as Harris eyes VP nod".
  18. ^Orso, Anna (August 2, 2024)."Josh Shapiro once wrote that peace 'will never come' to the Middle East. He says his views have changed over 30 years".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  19. ^abcdefBrennan, Chris (October 24, 2022)."Josh Shapiro early on showed knack for networking and regimented messaging in politics".inquirer.com.The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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  29. ^abLidji, Eric (July 23, 2009)."Iran bill passes House committee".Jewish Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2024.
  30. ^Guttman, Nathan (July 25, 2007)."Campaign To Divest From Iran Struggles With Costs of Making Portfolio 'Terror-Free'".Forward.
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  45. ^Berman, Mark (August 25, 2018)."After Pennsylvania report on alleged church abuses, Missouri launches investigation. What will other states do?".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  46. ^"Attorney General Shapiro Announces Breakup of $1 Million Fox Drug Ring in Luzerne County".Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  47. ^Belser, Alex (November 9, 2017)."Drug Crisis:" Operation Outfoxed "suspects in court".WOLF.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  48. ^"Two Women Sentenced For Role In Bath Salts Conspiracy".justice.gov.February 19, 2016.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
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  51. ^Morgan-Besecker, Terrie (February 3, 2020)."Major drug case in shambles after prosecution mistake".Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice.RetrievedApril 9,2023.
  52. ^"Statement of Office of Attorney General in Piazza Investigation".Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.RetrievedNovember 8,2022.
  53. ^Rubinkam, Michael (May 30, 2018)."Prosecutor accused of trading sex for leniency pleads guilty".Associated Press News.RetrievedJuly 27,2024.
  54. ^O'Toole, Katie (May 30, 2018)."Former Bedford County DA Bill Higgins enters plea agreement, avoids jail time".WJAC-TV.RetrievedJuly 27,2024.
  55. ^Rolen, Emily (August 23, 2018)."Philly D.A. Krasner refers Jeffrey Dennis police shooting probe to Pa. attorney general".PhillyVoice.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  56. ^abTomczuk, Jack (March 6, 2019)."Wrongful death lawsuit filed in Tacony police shooting".Northeast Times.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  57. ^Chang, David; Chinn, Hannah (December 4, 2018)."No Charges for Philadelphia Officer Involved in Deadly Police Shooting in Tacony".WCAU.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  58. ^Palmer, Chris (February 27, 2019)."Relatives of Philly man killed by police sue for wrongful death".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  59. ^McGoldrick, Gillian (September 6, 2022)."Josh Shapiro's campaign, in first ad of $16.9 million buy, declares Doug Mastriano's anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ beliefs 'too risky for Pa.'".Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.RetrievedSeptember 6,2022.
  60. ^Hardison, Elizabeth (January 24, 2020).Fetterman, Shapiro say they both believe in second chances. Pardons board votes tell two different stories.Capital-Star.
  61. ^Walker, Carter; Gonzalez, Junior (May 6, 2019)."Pa. Capitol staff being paid by taxpayers to edit Wikipedia for elected officials".LNP.RetrievedJuly 27,2024.
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  65. ^Stein, Linda (July 21, 2021)."Garrity, Shapiro Back Anti-BDS Action Against Ben & Jerry's".DV Journal.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  66. ^Couloumbis, Angela; Vella, Vinny (July 22, 2021)."Pa. state lawmaker from Delaware County charged with theft after years-long investigation".Spotlight PA.RetrievedJuly 23,2021.
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  69. ^Pear, Robert (December 15, 2017)."Court Temporarily Blocks Trump Order Against Contraceptive Coverage".The New York Times.
  70. ^Murrell, David (October 1, 2019)."Attorney General Josh Shapiro Is Hosting a Philly Town Hall on Student Debt".Philly Mag.
  71. ^Hsu, Tiffany; Feuer, Alan (July 30, 2018)."A Rush to Block Downloadable Plans for 3-D Printed Guns".The New York Times.
  72. ^"Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Backs Legalizing Marijuana".CBS Philly. September 27, 2019.
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  78. ^Levy, Marc (May 10, 2022)."GOP fears far-right candidate will be PA governor nominee".The Associated Press.RetrievedMay 22,2022.
  79. ^Galski, Sam (May 19, 2022)."Lou Barletta says unsuccessful bid for GOP gubernatorial nomination was his last campaign".The Morning Call.Hazleton Standard-Speaker.RetrievedMay 22,2022.
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  94. ^Lai, Jonathan; Tamari, Jonathan (July 15, 2021)."Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf says he won't endorse anyone for Senate — including his lieutenant John Fetterman".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedJuly 23,2021.
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  98. ^Prose, J.D. (July 6, 2022)."9 top Republicans endorse Shapiro for Pa. governor, call Mastriano 'extreme,' 'dangerous'".PennLive Patriot-News.RetrievedJuly 6,2022.
  99. ^McGoldrick, Gillian (August 30, 2022)."More former Republican officials come out in support of Josh Shapiro in Pa. governor's race".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.PG Publishing Co.RetrievedAugust 30,2022.
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  101. ^Kampeas, Ron (January 17, 2023)."Josh Shapiro's inauguration symbolizes a new age for Jewish politicians".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedJuly 31,2024.
  102. ^Kissileff, Beth (November 11, 2022)."Josh Shapiro and me".Religion News Service.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  103. ^Thompson, Charles (January 17, 2023)."Gov. Josh Shapiro takes office with a burst of energy, optimism".PennLive.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
  104. ^Levy, Marc (December 6, 2022).Shapiro taps longtime aides to top jobs in governor's office.Associated Press.
  105. ^Ulrich, Steve (January 4, 2023)."Shapiro Names Hossain, Vereb to Executive Staff".PoliticsPA.RetrievedFebruary 27,2023.
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  110. ^Wereschagin, Mike; Turner, Ford (October 23, 2023)."Handling of sexual harassment allegations poses a big threat to Josh Shapiro's political identity".PennLive Patriot-News.Tribune News Service.RetrievedOctober 23,2023.
  111. ^Gruver, Ed (November 28, 2023).Pa. credit rating receives more positive affirmation.Lehigh Valley Business.
  112. ^Mosbrucker-Garza, Kristen (May 9, 2023).Gov. Shapiro touts corporate tax cuts to Philly business chamber, promises investment in education.WHYY.
  113. ^Picciotto, Rebecca (July 30, 2024)."Shapiro backs 'aggressive' corporate tax cuts in Pennsylvania as Harris campaign vets him for VP".CNBC.RetrievedJuly 31,2024.
  114. ^Levy, Marc; Schultz, Brooke (February 6, 2024).Pennsylvania governor seeks billions for schools and development in budget that envisions legal weed.Associated Press.
  115. ^Governor's Proposed Budget Would Balloon Deficit to More Than $6 Billion.Commonwealth Foundation.February 28, 2024.
  116. ^abSnyder, Susan (July 14, 2024).Scholarships, funding, and oversight boards: Higher education takeaways from the Pa. state budget.The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  117. ^"Governor Shapiro launches first-in-nation job training initiative to transform Pennsylvania's workforce".WOLF-TV.MSN. August 1, 2023.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.[dead link]
  118. ^abScicchitano, Eric (August 1, 2023)."Shapiro pens order to bolster Pennsylvania workforce".The Daily Item.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
  119. ^Barcaro, Matt (July 31, 2023)."Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to sign another executive order".WGAL News 8 Local.Hearst Television Inc.RetrievedJuly 31,2023.
  120. ^ab"Governor Investing $400 in Federal Money into Infrastructure and Job Training".WGAL.July 31, 2023.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.[dead link]
  121. ^Miller, Cassie (August 28, 2023)."Shapiro admin waives college degree requirements for state police cadets".Pennsylvania Capital-Star.RetrievedAugust 28,2023.
  122. ^Hoopers, Zach (August 29, 2023).State troopers no longer need college credits.LNP Always Lancaster.Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  123. ^Robinson-Johnson, Evan (September 21, 2023).SHAPIRO PLOTS COURSE FOR AI.Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  124. ^Office of the Governor.Governor Josh Shapiro.March 27, 2024.
  125. ^Hall, Peter (May 13, 2024).Shapiro says his administration is preparing to hire the next generation of state workers.Capital-Star.
  126. ^McGoldrick, Gillian (January 26, 2023).Shapiro: Cut back on risky investments.The Morning Call.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  127. ^DiStefano, Joseph N. (May 17, 2023).Shapiro picks new trustees for Pa. pension boards.The Philadelphia Inquirer.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  128. ^DiStefano, Joseph N. (November 16, 2023).How a lobbyist ended up heading the SERS pension plan board.The Philadelphia Inquirer.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  129. ^Fitzgerald, Thomas; Walsh, Sean Collins (December 20, 2023).SEPTA and its transit police have reached a tentative agreement, ending 3-day strike.The Philadelphia Inquirer.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  130. ^Ravitch, Lizzy McLellan (December 21, 2023).SEPTA's transit police union votes to ratify a new contract.The Philadelphia Inquirer.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  131. ^Fitzgerald, Thomas; Walsh, Sean Collins (December 18, 2023).SEPTA COPS BACK ON THE BEAT.Philadelphia Daily News.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  132. ^Ravitch, Lizzy McLellan; McGoldrick, Gillian (March 7, 2023)."Gov. Shapiro wants to raise Pa.'s minimum wage to $15. Will a changing Harrisburg make it happen?".Philadelphia Inquirer.Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedSeptember 7,2023.
  133. ^Levy, Marc (February 6, 2024).Shapiro to deliver budget today.Standard-Speaker.Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  134. ^Pa. House passes $15 minimum wage bill.The Sentinel.June 22, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  135. ^Caruso, Stephen; Huangpu, Kate; Meyer, Katie (July 21, 2024).Legal marijuana, big tax cuts and minimum wage: This year's losers in the Pennsylvania budget.Centre Daily Times.Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  136. ^Morrison, Oliver (February 15, 2023).Shapiro rips train company for prioritizing track reopening over 'safer' approach after derailment.Lehigh Valley News.
  137. ^abMiceck, John L. (June 14, 2023)."Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs disaster declaration for I-95 collapse in Philadelphia".Pennsylvania Capital-Star.RetrievedJune 14,2023.
  138. ^abTerruso, Julia (June 17, 2023)."From TikToks to a 24/7 live stream, Gov. Josh Shapiro's I-95 response grows his national profile".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedJune 23,2023.
  139. ^"Biden vs. Trump: Toss Up In Pennsylvania, Trump Leads GOP Primary, Quinnipiac University Pennsylvania Poll Finds; Voters Give Gov. Shapiro High Marks, Especially On I-95 Handling".Quinnipiac University.June 28, 2023.RetrievedJuly 30,2023.
  140. ^Sharber, Cory (February 6, 2024).Shapiro's budget plan includes $161 million in funding to SEPTA amid budget shortfalls.WHYY.
  141. ^McGoldrick, Gillian; Fitzgerald, Thomas (July 12, 2024)."Pa. budget deal leaves transit agencies short. SEPTA may have to cut services if there is no more money in the fall".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedJuly 23,2024.
  142. ^"Pennsylvania's profile rising in nation's school voucher debate".WGAL-TV.Associated Press. October 8, 2023.RetrievedOctober 10,2023.
  143. ^Thompson, Charles (July 5, 2023)."Gov. Josh Shapiro calls for passage of budget bill without agreement on school choice program".PennLive Patriot-News.Advance Local Media LLC.RetrievedOctober 10,2023.
  144. ^abSchultz, Brooke; Levy, Marc (March 10, 2023).Pennsylvania school allies criticize Shapiro's budget plan.Centre Daily Times.Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  145. ^McGoldrick, Gillian (August 28, 2023)."All Pa. public school students will get free breakfast, but some districts struggle with low participation".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2023.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  146. ^"Gov. Josh Shapiro touts universal free breakfast funding during Penn Hills visit".WITF.August 9, 2023.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  147. ^Levy, Marc (February 8, 2024).Gov. Shapiro seeks school-funding boost to help poorer districts, but Republicans remain wary.Associated Press.
  148. ^Levy, Marc (July 12, 2024).Lawmakers pass nearly $48B budget.LNP Always Lancaster.Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  149. ^Sweitzer, Justin (January 31, 2024).PA Republicans call for governor to support Texas amid border standoff.City & State Pnnsylvania.
  150. ^Cotton, Josh (February 5, 2024).Rapp signs letter calling on Shapiro to combat illegal immigration.Times Observer.
  151. ^Smith, Christen (March 23, 2024).Shapiro says no troops for the border.Times Observer.
  152. ^Hall, Peter (December 15, 2023)."Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs probation reforms spurred by Philly rapper Meek Mill's imprisonment".Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
  153. ^Levy, Marc (February 16, 2023)."Pennsylvania governor blocks death penalty, calls for repeal".AP News.RetrievedJuly 11,2023.
  154. ^Ward, Paula Reed (May 2, 2024)."Gov. Shapiro, once Pa.'s top cop, backs inmate's appeal of life sentence for felony murder".TribLIVE.com.RetrievedJuly 23,2024.
  155. ^Ward, Paula Reed (September 20, 2022)."Pa. court hears argument on whether life without parole for 2nd-degree murder is cruel, unusual punishment".TribLIVE.com.RetrievedJuly 23,2024.
  156. ^Miller, Cassie (August 4, 2023)."Shapiro terminates state funding for Real Alternatives anti-abortion centers in Pa".Pennsylvania Capital-Star.RetrievedSeptember 1,2023.
  157. ^Schultz, Brooke; Kruesi, Kimberlee (September 1, 2023)."After nearly 30 years, Pennsylvania will end state funding for anti-abortion counseling centers".WOOD-TV.Nexstar Media Inc.The Associated Press.RetrievedSeptember 1,2023.
  158. ^Wlaker, Carter (October 4, 2023)."Automatic voter registration in Pa. draws GOP lawsuit threats, but little action".WHYY-FM.Spotlight PA.Votebeat.RetrievedOctober 5,2023.
  159. ^Deto, Ryan (September 19, 2023)."Shapiro enacts automatic voter registration for Pennsylvanians registering at DMV".TribLIVE.Trib Total Media.RetrievedSeptember 21,2023.
  160. ^Mitman, Hayden (July 14, 2024)."'Corey died a hero': Gov. Shapiro remembers Pa. man killed at Trump rally ".NBC10 Philadelphia.The Associated Press.RetrievedJuly 21,2024.
  161. ^Manchester, Julia (July 17, 2024)."Trump rally shooting pushes Pennsylvania governor into the spotlight".The Hill.RetrievedJuly 21,2024.
  162. ^"Will Pa. governor Josh Shapiro enter the 2024 Presidential race?".FOX43.July 21, 2024.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  163. ^Hall, Peter; Lyons, Kim (July 21, 2024)."Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro would bring a battleground state and political acumen to a national ticket".Pennsylvania Capital-Star.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  164. ^Hoopes, Zack (July 21, 2024)."Biden's exit expected to have big impact on Pa. — whether or not Shapiro lands on ticket".PennLIVE Patriot-News.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  165. ^Prose, J.D. (July 21, 2024)."Gov. Shapiro says VP Kamala Harris is 'ready to be president,' urges Democrats to unite".PennLIVE Patriot-News.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  166. ^Thompson, Charles; Murphy, Jan (July 22, 2024)."What's Biden's withdrawal mean for Pa. and Gov. Shapiro?".PennLIVE Patriot-News.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  167. ^Prose, J.D. (July 21, 2024)."Shapiro is betting favorite to be Harris' VP pick if she's the Democratic presidential nominee".PennLIVE Patriot-News.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  168. ^Walsh, Sean Collins; Terruso, Julia (August 6, 2024)."Inside Harris' decision to pass over Josh Shapiro as her VP pick".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
  169. ^Terruso, Julia; Anna, Orso; Gillian, McGoldrick (August 7, 2024)."Josh Shapiro is used to winning. But losing out on VP is hardly a defeat".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
  170. ^abSmith, Allan; Allen, Jonathan; Barnett, Emma; Seitz-Wald, Alex; Tsirkin, Julie; Edelman, Adam (July 31, 2024)."Josh Shapiro's VP bid ignites debate over Israel and antisemitism".NBC News.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  171. ^abcSalant, Jonathan (January 12, 2024)."Shapiro calls Hamas attack 'pure evil' | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2024.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  172. ^Beggin, Riley."Josh Shapiro's vice presidential prospects spark debate over Israel policy, antisemitism".USA TODAY.RetrievedAugust 3,2024.
  173. ^abRosenberg, Yair (July 31, 2024)."Who's Afraid of Josh Shapiro?".The Atlantic.Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2024.RetrievedAugust 1,2024.
  174. ^abShimunov, Rafael (August 2, 2024)."Josh Shapiro's alarmist response to campus protests should disqualify him from being Harris' running mate".The Forward.RetrievedAugust 4,2024.
  175. ^abOrso, Anna (August 2, 2024)."Josh Shapiro once wrote that peace 'will never come' to the Middle East. He says his views have changed over 30 years".Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedAugust 2,2024.
  176. ^Shapiro, Josh (September 23, 1993)."An Impossible Peace".University of Rochester Campus Times.
  177. ^Vigdor, Neil (August 2, 2024)."Shapiro's College-Era Criticism of Palestinians Draws Fresh Scrutiny".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedAugust 3,2024.
  178. ^Magid, Jacob (August 3, 2024)."Josh Shapiro seeks to downplay his time as IDF volunteer after college op-ed resurfaces".The Times of Israel.RetrievedAugust 3,2024.
  179. ^"Ben & Jerry's Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory".Ben & Jerry's.July 19, 2021.
  180. ^Hage, Mark (August 5, 2021)."We got Ben & Jerry's to stop selling in Israeli settlements. Here's how we did it".The Guardian.RetrievedAugust 2,2024.
  181. ^Elia-Shalev, Asaf (July 19, 2021)."Breaking a 2-month silence, Ben & Jerry's ice cream announces boycott of Israeli West Bank settlements".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedAugust 2,2024.
  182. ^ab"Garrity, Shapiro Back Anti-BDS Action Against Ben & Jerry's".Delaware Valley Journal.July 21, 2021.
  183. ^"T'ruah, J Street Celebrate 8th Circuit Decision That Anti-BDS Law Violates First Amendment".J Street.February 16, 2021.
  184. ^"Colleges would face financial punishments for boycotting or divesting from Israel under new Pa. bill".Spotlight PA.June 21, 2024.
  185. ^"Senate Bill No. 1260 Session of 2024".
  186. ^Damp, Patrick (October 12, 2023)."'This is not a moment for moral equivalency:' Gov. Josh Shapiro calls on people and governments to denounced Hamas attacks on Israel ".CBS Pittsburgh.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  187. ^Hoopes, Zack (October 12, 2023)."Pa. Muslim groups admonish Shapiro for not speaking in support of Gazan civilians".pennlive.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  188. ^Hoopes, Zack (October 12, 2023)."Pa. Muslim groups admonish Shapiro for not speaking in support of Gazan civilians".The Patriot-News.RetrievedAugust 1,2024.
  189. ^abCarman, Tim (December 5, 2023)."White House condemns protests at Jewish-owned Philadelphia restaurant".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon December 7, 2023.RetrievedJuly 31,2024.
  190. ^abMitman, Hayden (December 7, 2023)."At Philly's Goldie, Gov. Shapiro condemns Penn president's 'shameful' remarks to Congress".NBC10 Philadelphia.RetrievedJanuary 5,2024.
  191. ^Chan, Wilfred (December 8, 2023)."A protest against a top Israel-born chef was called antisemitic. Staff tell a different story".The Guardian.Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2023.RetrievedJuly 31,2024.
  192. ^Kampeas, Ron (August 2, 2024)."The campaign to tank Josh Shapiro's VP chances is gathering steam — and accusations of antisemitism".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedAugust 4,2024.
  193. ^Deutch, Gabby (December 18, 2023)."Pa. Gov. Shapiro: Israel has 'responsibility' to 'defeat Hamas'".Jewish Insider.Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2023.
  194. ^abSmith, Allan (November 22, 2023)."Gov. Josh Shapiro thinks voters have Trump 'brain fog.' He wants Biden to refresh their memory".NBC News.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  195. ^Rosenfeld, Arno (July 26, 2024)."Shapiro's position on Gaza tests close bonds with Arab, Muslim community".The Forward.RetrievedAugust 1,2024.
  196. ^Frazier, Kierra (April 24, 2024)."Josh Shapiro: 'Unacceptable' some universities can't guarantee student safety amid protests".Politico.
  197. ^"The One Vice Presidential Pick Who Could Ruin Democratic Unity".The New Republic.ISSN0028-6583.RetrievedAugust 3,2024.
  198. ^Rosenfeld, Arno (July 26, 2024)."Shapiro's position on Gaza tests close bonds with Arab, Muslim community".The Forward.RetrievedJuly 26,2024.
  199. ^Geraghty, Jim (July 31, 2024)."So Is Kamala Harris Going with Shapiro or What?".National Review.RetrievedAugust 1,2024.
  200. ^Gov. Shapiro: Peaceful protests can't be excuse for antisemitism | CNN Politics.April 24, 2024.RetrievedJuly 24,2024– via www.cnn.com.
  201. ^Griffing, Alex (April 24, 2024)."'Completely Out of Control': Pennsylvania Governor Slams Pro-Palestinian Protests at Columbia, Urges School to Restore Order ".Mediaite.RetrievedAugust 1,2024.
  202. ^Snyder, Susan (May 9, 2024)."Gov. Shapiro calls for Penn to disband pro-Palestinian encampment as 6 students are placed on leave".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  203. ^Walsh, Sean Collins (May 10, 2024)."Gov. Josh Shapiro knew officials were prepping to take down Penn's encampment as he called for its removal".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  204. ^Caruso, Stephen; Couloumbis, Angela (May 14, 2024)."Shapiro order on 'scandalous' conduct amid Gaza protests raises alarm".Spotlight PA.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  205. ^abMurphy, Jan (October 12, 2022)."Lori Shapiro: A behind-the-scenes motivator in husband's gubernatorial campaign".PennLive.RetrievedNovember 12,2022.
  206. ^@JoshShapiroPA (May 25, 2022)."25 years ago, on a rainy day in Bucks County, I got to kiss the bride. It's been sunny ever since. We've been ble..."(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  207. ^"The Office".Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.RetrievedMarch 13,2019.
  208. ^"Election Results General Election November 2, 2004 Book1"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.November 23, 2004. p. 2.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  209. ^"General Election 2006"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.November 21, 2006. p. 3.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  210. ^"Election Results General Election November 4, 2008"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.November 19, 2008. p. 3.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  211. ^"2010 General Election November 2, 2010 Summary Report Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Official Report"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.December 8, 2010. p. 3.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  212. ^"2011 General Election November 8, 2011 Summary Report Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Official Report"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.November 28, 2011. p. 1.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  213. ^"Montgomery County Election Results – Municipal General Election – November 3, 2015"(PDF).Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.November 20, 2015. p. 1.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
  214. ^ab"Pennsylvania Elections - Summary Results".electionreturns.pa.gov.Archived fromthe originalon April 30, 2016.
  215. ^"2020 Presidential Election - Statewide".RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
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  217. ^Shapiro, Josh (July 16, 2023)."Opinion | We fixed I-95 in 12 days. Here are our lessons for U.S. infrastructure".Washington Post.RetrievedJuly 21,2024.
[edit]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives
from the153rddistrict

2005–2012
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Member of theMontgomery County Board of Commissioners
2012–2017
Succeeded by
Kenneth Lawrence
Preceded by Governor of Pennsylvania
2023–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Democraticnominee forAttorney General of Pennsylvania
2016,2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Democraticnominee forGovernor of Pennsylvania
2022
Most recent
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Pennsylvania
2017–2023
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence(ceremonial)
Preceded byasVice President Order of precedence of the United States
Within Pennsylvania
Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
OtherwiseMike Johnson
asSpeaker of the House
Preceded byasGovernor of Delaware Order of precedence of the United States
Outside Pennsylvania
Succeeded byasGovernor of New Jersey