Potential 2028 contender campaigns for Spanberger in key Tidewater area
In a significant move for the 2028 Democratic presidential landscape, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to rally for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger this Sunday in the critical Hampton Roads area. Shapiro, who has carved a moderate niche within the Democratic Party, aims to support Spanberger as she seeks to secure her position as the next governor of Virginia. The former congresswoman is intensifying her campaign efforts in the Tidewater region, which is pivotal for her electoral success. In addition to Shapiro’s support, Spanberger is also slated to host a rally with former President Barack Obama in Norfolk, underscoring the high-profile nature of her campaign and the Democratic Party’s commitment to winning back the governorship.
Shapiro’s involvement is particularly noteworthy as he has emerged as a prominent figure among potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential race. Although he has not formally declared his intentions for a presidential run, his appearances alongside candidates like Spanberger and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill suggest a strategic positioning within the party. Shapiro’s centrist approach has garnered him attention, especially as he navigates challenges from both Republicans and far-left elements within his party. His recent comments condemning antisemitism in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel highlight his willingness to take a stand on contentious issues, further solidifying his status as a leading voice in the party.
Despite facing criticism from some Republicans regarding his handling of COVID-19 policies and ongoing budget challenges, Shapiro has received bipartisan praise, indicating a unique appeal that may serve him well in future electoral contests. His remarks on election law, particularly in response to Donald Trump’s assertions about mail-in voting, reflect his commitment to upholding democratic processes, positioning him as a defender of state rights against federal overreach. As the political landscape evolves leading up to the 2024 elections and beyond, Shapiro’s support for Spanberger and his ongoing political maneuvers will be closely watched by both party insiders and the electorate at large.
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One of the Democratic Party’s top potential 2028 figures will stump for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger on Sunday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has notably made a lane to the right of far-left Democratic Party figures like New York Assemb.
Zohran Mamdani
, will rally with Spanberger in the crucial Hampton Roads area.
The former Virginia congresswoman plans to hold multiple rallies in the Tidewater alone before Election Day, including another with former President
Barack Obama
across the ‘roads’ in Norfolk.
“Governor Shapiro this weekend is headed to New Jersey and Virginia to help elect Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger; two more Democratic governors who will focus every day on getting stuff done, delivering results for hardworking families and protecting freedom in their states,” Shapiro campaign spokesman Manuel Bonder told Fox News Digital on Friday.
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Shapiro also plans
to stump for Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey as she hopes to keep Trenton in Democratic hands.
Shapiro – who has announced he will run for reelection to Harrisburg in 2026 and has not officially indicated interest in a presidential bid – is one of several Democrats whose names repeatedly come up in such conversation – including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, California Gov.
Gavin Newsom
and Kentucky Gov. Andrew Beshear.
He was also the reported runner-up to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in Kamala Harris’ 2024 veepstakes.
Shapiro lambasted
antisemitic behavior
at the University of Pennsylvania following the Hamas attack on Israel, while separately adding of Mamdani’s view of the Jewish State:
“You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can’t leave room for that to just sit there.”
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While Shapiro has faced criticism from Republicans in his own state for supporting former Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-era shutdowns and for the current budget impasse, he’s also been a rare Democrat to earn praise from some in the GOP.
Jack Ciattarelli
, the Republican nominee in New Jersey’s sweeps, namedropped Shapiro favorably enough times that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka – then running for governor – suggested he cross the Delaware and run in the Keystone State instead.
“[
Pennsylvania doesn’t
] have a property tax crisis [like New Jersey], they don’t have a business climate crisis, they don’t have an energy crisis,” Ciattarelli said, contrasting the two neighbors.
Pennsylvania Republicans, however, disputed some of those descriptions, with state Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, and Sen. David Argall, R-New Ringgold, recently drafting bills to eliminate
property taxes
altogether.
State Sen.
Doug Mastriano
, R-Gettysburg, who challenged Shapiro in 2022 and is being urged by the conservative wing to do so again in 2026, also blasted Shapiro’s budget proposals as “fantasy,” warning in a statement that “eventually, the funds from ‘we the people’ will run dry.”
Shapiro has also been vocal on election law itself, rebuking the president over a Truth Social post potentially foreshadowing an end to mail-in balloting.
“Donald Trump can sign whatever the hell executive orders he wants. . . . But he can’t change the Constitution with an executive order, and the Constitution gives the authority to set our election rules to the states.” Shapiro said.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
