BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Democrat operating for statewide workplace issued a scathing critique of her celebration mate and governor, potential vice-presidential nominee Josh Shapiro, resulting in a confrontation with the Pennsylvania celebration chief — which she’s persevering with in The Publish.
Treasurer nominee Erin McClelland appeared to accuse Shapiro of sexism and overlaying up sexual harassment and indicate he wouldn’t be glad enjoying second fiddle in a Tuesday evening tweet.
“I desire a VP choose that’s safe sufficient to be second underneath a girl, is content material to be VP & received’t undermine the President to maneuver his personal election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment underneath the rug,” wrote McClelland, who’s operating in opposition to GOP incumbent Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
“I need somebody that may converse to rural voters. That’s @RoyCooperNC,” McClelland’s put up continued. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is one other much-talked-about potential veep choose for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.
McClelland famous she didn’t point out Shapiro’s identify instantly in her tweet however instructed The Publish her issues concerning the extent of the governor’s presidential ambitions ought to he be added to the ticket.
“If I had been in [Harris’] scenario, I might assume very strongly concerning the difficulties that some girls expertise being in a top-level place, and having males round them that need to be glad with being second, third or answering to a girl,” she stated.
Whereas McClelland didn’t provide particulars on her accusation Shapiro “swept sexual harassment underneath the rug,” The Philadelphia Inquirer stated she “was seemingly referring to a sexual harassment scandal in Shapiro’s workplace final yr.”
The scandal concerned a girl who accused her boss, Shapiro legislative liaison Mike Vereb, of sexual harassment. The governor’s workplace quietly reached a $295,000 settlement along with her.
Vereb, who’s been near Shapiro for many years, didn’t resign from his Cupboard-level place till months after an inner grievance was filed, the Inquirer reported.
McClelland’s tweet put her at odds with different Pennsylvania Democrats who’ve supported Shapiro for VP — and even raised the ire of state Democratic Celebration Chairman Sharif Avenue.
“Look, everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Avenue stated at a Wednesday occasion selling Harris.
“However I’ll let you know, I’m offended by the put up,” he continued. “I’m personally offended, and I’ll have conversations with our nominee for treasurer individually.”
Chatting with The Publish, McClelland stated she hasn’t spoke to Avenue since criticizing Shapiro however believes their relationship might be “nice.”
“Somebody is offended by a girl with a robust opinion. Coloration me thunderstruck,” she declared.
McClelland stated she is going to help the Democratic ticket regardless of whom Harris picks however was compelled to reward Cooper due to the North Carolina governor’s file and skill to draw younger voters — particularly as in contrast with Shapiro.
Cooper “appears very comfy in his personal pores and skin and doesn’t appear to have very robust ambitions to be president,” McClelland stated.
“I don’t assume that he would undercut” Harris, she added. “He’s good on public training, which is a matter that’s vital to me.”
McClelland just isn’t alone on the left, although.
She joins 28 anti-school-choice organizations that oppose Shapiro’s candidacy. The organizations penned a letter to Harris urging her to choose one in every of three different Democratic governors as her operating mate — and Cooper was on that listing.
The gov, who served as Keystone State lawyer common from 2017 to 2023, was handily elected to the place over hard-right GOP candidate Doug Mastriano in 2022.
Shapiro obtained acclaim final yr for his management in the course of the restore of a collapsed Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia however has been criticized on either side of the aisle for his work on college alternative — albeit for very totally different causes.
Republicans are disillusioned he caved final summer season on the state Senate’s school-choice invoice, which he’d backed earlier than that.
Dems have hit him as a result of they oppose college alternative general.
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