One of the top names being floated as a Kamala Harris VP pick has been accused of covering up sexual harassment.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro (D)'s reputation as a moderate, his high approval ratings and Pennsylvania's importance as a swing state have all been seen as factors in his favor.
But Shapiro's likable image could be tested by the allegations brought by another Pennsylvania Democrat.
In a series of posts on X, Erin McClelland accused Shapiro of ignoring sexual harassment and painted him as insecure about working for 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 maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug,” McClelland wrote on X.
McClelland - who is running to be state Treasurer - was alluding to a previously reported scandal that rocked Shapiro's office last year. The governor reached a $295,000 settlement with a woman who complained about being harassed by Mike Vereb, one of Shapiro's aides.
McClelland endorsed North Carolina governor Roy Cooper to be Harris' running mate.
“I want someone that can speak to rural voters. That is @RoyCooperNC," she wrote.
In comments to the New York Post, McClelland doubled down on her criticism of Shapiro.
“If I were in [Harris’] situation, I would think very strongly about the difficulties that some women experience being in a top-level position, and having men around them that have to be satisfied with being second, third or answering to a woman,” she said.
Her comments sparked a row among Pennsylvania Democrats. The state's party chair Sharif Street said he was "offended."
“Look, everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Street said. “Certainly, I think, Vice President Harris, whoever she picks, we’re going to stand behind her, she’s going to do a great job," he said.
“But, I’ll tell you, I’m offended by that… by the post,” Street added. “I’m personally offended and I’ll have conversations with our nominee for Treasurer, separately.”
Since rising to the top of the party's ticket, Harris has faced withering attacks over her extreme liberal record. Her past support of a fracking ban could be particularly damaging in Pennsylvania.
Many expect Harris to choose a white man from one of the swing states to broaden her appeal.
