Kamala Harris’ vice presidential candidate is drawn into shocking battle over sexual harassment cover-up

Kamala Harris’s vice president-elect is embroiled in a shocking sexual harassment scandal.

Governor Josh Shapiro, 51, of Pennsylvania is in the running to replace Harris as vice president if she defeats Donald Trump in November.

Harris has so far requested materials from Shapiro as part of a vetting process that involves several governors from swing states who could be useful to her efforts.

But a Pennsylvania Democrat who is on the ballot this November accuses Shapiro of being involved in a cover-up and even made a shocking prediction about how he could ruin Harris’ campaign.

Erin McClelland, the Democratic candidate for state treasurer, sparked an intra-party dispute after she tweeted Tuesday night endorsing North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper as Harris’s running mate.

“I want a vice president who is secure enough to run second to a woman, who is comfortable being vice president, who will not undermine the president to rig his own election, and who will not sweep sexual harassment under the rug,” she wrote, referring to Shapiro.

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“I want someone who can speak to rural voters. That’s @RoyCooperNC,” she added, referring to the only southern governor on the list of names under review.

Although she did not explicitly name him in her post, McClelland confirmed to the New York Post that she was referring to Shapiro.

“If I were in her shoes, I would think very strongly about the difficulties some women in top positions experience when they are surrounded by men who have to be content to be second or third in command or to answer to a woman,” she said.

In 2023, Shapiro’s office quietly settled for $250,000 with a woman who had accused Mike Vereb, the governor’s legislative liaison and decades-long ally, of sexual harassment.

Vereb did not resign until seven months after the allegations were made, and Shapiro was criticized for his handling of the incident.

“It really makes me so angry that I have to stop talking because I would say things I shouldn’t say,” interim Senate President Kim Ward told the Philadelphia Inquirer after Vereb’s resignation.

“It is so upsetting that (Vereb) has remained in this position, one of the highest positions in the government, for months.”

Shapiro’s only response to the criticism was a grin and a request for people to “consider the source,” the Inquirer added. Ward is a Republican who frequently clashes with Shapiro.

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Sharif Street, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, reacted angrily when asked about her statement.

“Look, everyone has the right to their own opinion, but I have to tell you, the post offends me,” he said.

“I am personally offended and will be having separate discussions with our candidate for treasurer,” Street added.

McClelland seemed unimpressed by the chairman’s response.

She said: “Someone feels insulted by a woman with strong opinions. I am thunderstruck.”

In addition, McClelland supports Cooper because, in her opinion, he represents everything that Shapiro is not.

“I don’t think he would undercut (Harris). He’s good on public education, an issue that’s important to me,” she said.

DailyMail.com has contacted Shapiro’s office for comment.

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Shapiro’s name is often mentioned as a Democrat with a bright political future and potential White House prospects.

The swing-state governor was one of the first Democratic politicians to push back against replacing Biden with a candidate after Biden’s faltering debate performance, but it’s unclear whether he would side with Harris.

He endorsed Harris on Sunday, shortly after Biden’s announcement.

“I have known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – we have both been prosecutors, we have both stood up for the rule of law, we have both fought for the people and delivered results,” he said in a statement.

“Kamala Harris is a patriot who deserves our support, and she will continue the work of generations of Americans before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance genuine freedom.”

The governor of Keystone State said the best way forward for the Democratic Party is to “quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidential election.”

He vowed to do everything in his power to elect Harris as the next president.

Cooper won his state in two elections, even though Trump won the state in the presidential election. Now his term is limited and he is preparing to leave office. He endorsed Harris on Sunday.

Nominating him as the Democratic presidential candidate could make North Carolina more attractive to Democrats. He has also appeared frequently with Biden and Harris on the campaign trail.