Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) claimed on Tuesday that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) was passed over for the vice presidential spot due to his Jewish heritage. This statement followed the announcement that Vice President Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate, concluding weeks of speculation about the choice for the Democratic ticket’s No. 2 position.
Johnson argued that Shapiro, who was among the final candidates, “would have been a stronger choice” for Harris. He suggested that Harris’s hesitation to select a vice presidential nominee with Jewish heritage was influenced by internal divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly the presence of a pro-Palestinian faction.
Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Jewish heritage was a reason he was not chosen for the vice presidential slot
“I think that clearly was a major factor,” Johnson said. “They have a pro-Palestinian, in some cases pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party.”
Although Johnson stopped short of labeling the decision as antisemitic, he reiterated that Shapiro’s Jewish background was a huge factor in the selection process. “I’m not gonna call it that because I don’t — I just know that that was a major factor,” Johnson stated. “I think it was transparently a major factor.”
Shapiro faced intense criticism from the far left due to his pro-Israel stance during the Israel-Hamas conflict, despite his criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Supporters of Shapiro contended that the scrutiny he faced was unfairly harsh and fueled by antisemitism.
In response to Harris’s selection, Johnson remarked that having Walz on the ticket would make it easier for Republicans to challenge the Democratic platform, suggesting that Walz’s far-left position highlights the liberal lean of Harris’s campaign. Johnson criticized Harris’s record and indicated that the choice of Walz further confirmed her liberal stance, which he believes will be advantageous for Republicans.
