Erin McClelland, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer, has launched a scathing critique of her party mate and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, accusing him of sexism and mishandling a sexual harassment scandal. Her comments have ignited a war of words with Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Sharif Street, further complicating the state’s political landscape.
In a tweet on Tuesday night, McClelland suggested that Shapiro, a potential vice-presidential nominee, might struggle with being a second-in-command under a woman. “I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to manoeuvre his election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug,” McClelland wrote.
Though McClelland did not mention Shapiro by name, her criticism appears to be aimed at him, particularly in light of a sexual harassment scandal involving Shapiro’s office last year. The scandal concerned allegations against Mike Vereb, Shapiro’s former legislative liaison, which led to a $295,000 settlement. Vereb did not leave his position until several months after the complaint was filed.
McClelland’s comments have not only drawn criticism from other Pennsylvania Democrats but also from State Democratic Party Chairman Sharif Street. At a Wednesday event promoting Vice President Kamala Harris, Street expressed his displeasure with McClelland’s remarks. “I’m personally offended, and I’ll have conversations with our nominee for treasurer separately,” he said.
In response, McClelland maintained that her relationship with Street will remain intact, though she expressed surprise at his reaction. “Someone is offended by a woman with a strong opinion. Color me shocked,” she told The Post.
McClelland has emphasized that she will support the Democratic ticket regardless of Harris’s vice-presidential pick. However, she has praised North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper as a preferable choice due to his experience and ability to appeal to young voters. “He seems very comfortable in his skin and does not seem to have extreme ambitions to be president,” McClelland said. “I don’t think that he would undercut” Harris, she added.
McClelland’s stance is shared by 28 anti-school-choice organizations that have urged Harris to consider other Democratic governors, including Cooper, as her running mate. Shapiro, who served as Pennsylvania Attorney General before becoming governor, has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle over his stance on school choice, further complicating his potential vice-presidential bid.
Despite receiving acclaim for his leadership while repairing a collapsed Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia, Shapiro’s handling of school choice has left him at odds with both Republicans and Democrats.
