HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro is working behind the scenes to help Democrats get control of Congress and statehouses in November.
Shapiro has become one of the most sought-after Democratic surrogates, embarking on a cross-country tour that includes stops in swing states and all over Pennsylvania with more to come before Election Day.
This weekend, Shapiro is headed to Georgia to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris. He’ll also go to New Hampshire at the end of the month to boost Democrats there.
Earlier in October, Shapiro campaigned near Madison, Wis., for Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). He also trekked to North Carolina late last month to aid in the governor’s race.
Shapiro’s team sent us a statement saying he plans to “continue working to help win these races and make Hakeem Jeffries the next Speaker of the House.”
Helping the map: The governor hosted a fundraiser in Philadelphia last month for Pennsylvania Democratic Reps. Chris Deluzio, Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild — three incumbents facing some of the toughest GOP challenges. He’s campaigned extensively for Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) too.
Last week, Shapiro stumped for Ashley Ehasz, who’s facing a rematch against Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). And Shapiro has canvassed and campaigned for Democrat Janelle Stelson, who is challenging Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.). The governor is expected to return to both districts in the coming weeks.
“There’s no way that Gov. Shapiro’s help isn’t having an impact,” Cartwright told us. “He is an enormously popular governor.”
Republicans’ response: Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), who has attended events with Shapiro in the past, said the governor not being on the presidential ticket will only help Republicans win the Keystone State.
“He got a gut punch — and many of his friends and supporters did as well — from Kamala Harris,” Meuser told us. “We thought it was a done deal and we’re glad he wasn’t picked from a [Pennsylvania] standpoint and a Trump standpoint.”
