I think that Governor-elect Shapiro has a distinct advantage over any of his predecessors, having come from the legislature. Shapiro may have a baby face, but he is not a baby in the world of politics. Transition Leadership Board. You know how kids are in cliques or theyre picking on other kids, he was never like that, he said. I just think its about pragmatism.". "If you want to label that as moderate or whatever word you used, I mean, you can choose whatever label you want for me. | Photographs by Michelle Gustafson for POLITICO. If Shapiro can fend off the far-right firebrand, he would catapult into the position of one of the most prominent Jewish elected officials in the country and be talked about within political circles as a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate. Josh Shapiro rose to prominence in 2016 when he was first elected as Pennsylvania attorney general. Shapiro attended Akiba Hebrew Academy, now known as Jack M. (Mark Makela/Getty Images). Two sources have told me that Shapiros aides bragged in the wake of the primary about Mastriano winning. Shapiro centered his bar mitzvah on a letter-writing campaign to free a refusenik, a Jew whose intended emigration was blocked by the USSRs cruel bureaucracy, and he liked to ask Aronchick about the movement, about organizing activism. [1][2][3][4] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican nominee Doug Mastriano in the general election by a 14.8% margin. I've held dozens of meetings and forums across the Commonwealth in the past year. One encourages him to speak it into existence that he will win the governors race. But Shapiros faith and, now, Gab are also a part of his stump speech for a reason. February 24, 2023, 12:01 PM. In January 2021, Josh was sworn in for his second term as Attorney General. Afterward, he walked across the street in Squirrel Hill, the beating heart of Pittsburghs Jewish community, to a prayer vigil. He is the son of Steven Shapiro, a pediatrician. While this letter is lengthier than the typical political announcement, I want you to understand why it is that I've decided to take this step and why I believe I am uniquely qualified to be your next Attorney General. And that we were going to rally against that hate., Shapiro likes to say that he took on the most powerful organization in the universe: the Roman Catholic Church.. No I really try not to take any of these things personally, and stay focused on what really matters, which is the people Im trying to represent.. Joshua David Shapiro (born June 20, 1973) is an American politician and lawyer who is the 48th Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. He married his high school sweetheart Lori in 1997, and the couple has four children. It is clear, back then and today, that he posed the clearest contrast. Shapiros energy can seem limitless when theres a political stage or an open microphone. Shapiro was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2022 election. Shapiro doesnt think of himself as a moderate or establishment Democrat, the terms journalists often use to describe him. Most Popular #261199. He is the son of a father serving in the Navy and was raised in Dresher, a part of Upper Dublin Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. (The refusenik who was the focus of Shapiros bar mitzvah activism made it out in time to attend Shapiros bar mitzvah, which earned Shapiro Philadelphia news coverage.) Shapiro sees his Judaism as a tool to bond with people, not as something that sets him apart. From Rochester, he moved to a series of legislative aide positions in the 1990s on Capitol Hill, working for Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Hoeffel and New Jersey Sen. Robert Torricelli. As attorney general, Shapiros report on the sexual abuse of children by priests and coverups by the Catholic Church made international news. Fresh out of his bar mitzvah, a 13-year-old Shapiro looked forward to his chats with Mark Aronchick, who was So he certainly understands the process, he understands the amendments, and really what it takes to get a bill across the finish line, Cutler said. And hed do it by being a new kind of Jewish politician. Shapiro had a short list of lieutenant governor candidates, which included Sims and Rep. Patty Kim, of Harrisburg, who And that we were better than that. To add to his list of accomplishments as attorney general, Shapiro got $1 billion for Pennsylvania in a opioid settlement. A Levin, his government teacher at Akiba, said Shapiro had a realistic assessment of his skills and what he needed to do to succeed. I became a thorn in the side of those who believed in politics as usual; those who thought that the lines between right and wrong could be changed to suit their political needs. 1.78m. Unlike some before him, Josh Shapiro hasnt downplayed his religion out of a fear of appearing different. His father, Steven, is a pediatrician, and his mother is a teacher. Senator John Fetterman, former President Barack Obama, Josh Shapiro and President Joe Biden at a rally at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 2022. I said, We need to do an ad on this. We need to tell people who this guy really is.. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. ) Shapiro was the first freshman-elected student body president at the University of Rochester. who express unabashed Jewish identities when campaigning among the broader public. As the states attorney general, he appeared at a press conference to update the public on the little law enforcement officials knew in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. That attitude allows the status quo to fester, for good people to be denied their rights and for some politicians and purported public servants to hold Pennsylvania back. Pennsylvania's next Attorney General will face many specific challenges but the most pressing challenge we face today in our justice system is a crisis of confidence, doubts about the administration of justice and the results that follow. Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic Partys presumed nominee for governor this year, is endorsing a Pittsburgh-area state lawmaker to be his running mate and lieutenant governor. Behind closed doors, he met with the people who were waiting to hear whether someone they knew had been in the synagogue that day. Married to my high school sweetheart. He is serving his second term and became a household name when he released a grand jury report focused on the Catholic Church's sex scandal that found 1k children had been abused by the Roman Catholic I believe deeply in the value of public service and want to make this commonwealth stronger for my family and yours. Josh is a consensus builder, he said. Pennsylvania unions have donated $2 million to Attorney General Josh Shapiro so far in 2021. And I think theyre understanding and inclusive and accepting.. Shapiros plans for his inauguration are laced with Jewish significance. Sharon Levin taught Shapiro government at Akiba Hebrew Academy (now called Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy) and said he stood apart at an age when boys interested in politics tend to flex their intellectual muscles through outspoken opinions and grandstanding. No matter if its a friend or a political supporter or a colleague. Nervousness and sadness they felt about leaving everything they had ever known to go into the unknown. They have four children. I want to be able to walk in on day one with a team thats ready to go, thats prepared to get to to yes whether on a bill or an economic development project or on a community initiative and get our government working again, Shapiro said. Shapiro has taken a widening lead in the polls by nine points against Mastriano. Now, Shapiro is in full governor mode, making appearances at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, choosing a bipartisan cabinet, and showing confidence that he can overcome Harrisburgs partisan gridlock that has plagued previous administrations. "When I think about this moment that we are in, I see great opportunity for our commonwealth," Shapiro said at a rally. 328 following. Theyll treat my administration with respect and well work together to tackle the big challenges, said Shapiro. Shapiro met his wife of 25 years in the 9th grade at Hebrew academy. They Throughout my life, I've been dedicated to two things: my family and public service. Non-violent offenders, particularly those battling addiction and mental illness, are clogging our prisons and costing us billions of dollars. Steve Nichols, 53, and Archie Marino, 34, both of Fort Lauderdale, were indicted by a statewide Obama did well enough in the state, Shapiro told JTA at the time, that he believed he would do well nationally. (Mark Makela/Getty Images). (Mastriano renounced antisemitism, but pointedly, not Torba.) Mastriano had allied with an outspoken antisemite, Andrew Torba, the founder of the far-right social media site, Gab, paying for promotion on Gab and accepting a donation from Torba. From "Bonusgate" to "Kids For Cash" and now to "Porngate" we can't help but feel frustrated with our democracy and its leaders. You have to be genuine. He has been to Israel more than a dozen times. In an interview with the Forward last year, Shapiro said his parents, Steven and Judi Shapiro, set a very good example for me to live a life of faith and service. At WebIf one of Pennsylvanias Senate seats becomes vacant, Gov. Many say he showed courage in a press conference of one called for the caucus bid to step down amid the bonusgate scandal. His daughter got it for him on a recent trip to Israel. Some people from the community spoke. Speaking to the dozen powerful pastors of nearby AME churches, all of whom could help him turn out critical Black voters in November, Rev. February 24, 2023, 12:01 PM. (her father, Jack, served as state auditor general from 2005-13). Shapiro defended Obama when his former pastor Jeremiah Wright, came under fire for antisemitic comments. Shapiros Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano, led the movement in the state to overturn Joe Bidens election and opposes abortion with no exceptions. In an interview last year with the Forward, , after a campaign event with union organizers, Shapiro said he understood organizing as an effective tool when he was 6 and he joined his parents in campaigning for the release of Jews in the Soviet Union. Even if he were personally offended, that wouldnt be the reason he made Mastrianos ties to an antisemitic site a campaign issue. Shapiro also facilitated a settlement between Highmark and UPMC, two healthcare giants who had been in a dispute for years. Josh Shapiro. With Josh, there never has been any confusion about where he stands on things.. Height. He has held more than 90 public officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, accountable for breaking the law. Akela Lacy July 12 2019, 8:18 p.m. I think that demonstrates that the hype that Senator Obama had a problem with the Jewish community was just that it was hype. she and her husband loved Israel more than Jews did. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Josh Shapiro is the attorney general of Pennsylvania and is the likely Democratic nominee for governor in 2022. Detractors, and he certainly has them, criticize Shapiros political ambitions, say hes not above back-room deals or backstabbing, and expect him to be running for president soon. Shapiro is wearing a thin red string around his wrist, the kind that little old ladies hand out in Jerusalem when they bless visitors to the Western Wall. But that doesnt mean hes certain of victory in November. ", Shapiro responded in a campaign ad that described Mastriano as one of Donald Trumps strongest supporters., It continues: He wants to end vote by mail, and he led the fight to audit the 2020 election. Now, he faces the new challenge of keeping them. I'm proud to have authored the most sweeping ethics reforms in Pennsylvania in generations. Shapiro reportedly refused to run on a ticket with him, Democrats abandoned Hoeffel, and Hoeffel quit the race. It was kind of misting rain. I voted against, refused to accept and led the fight to repeal the infamous "pay-raise" that was passed in the dark of night. Though he rejects that label, he has said the separation of church and state is a myth. Mastriano also has ties to antisemites, and this week he used an antisemitic trope, portraying Shapiro as out of touch with everyday Pennsylvanians for attending what he called one of the most privileged schools in the nation, a Jewish private school. So he said, my fallback from school was government, and he was the first sophomore ever to be student president at the University of Rochester, she said. Why didnt his obituaries say so? His father was a pediatrician, and his mother was an educator. He gets done what he needs to get done, what he wants to get done, said Robin Schatz, the director of government affairs at the Jewish Federations of Greater Philadelphia. In interviews with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, nearly a dozen of them said Shapiro, 49, has openly melded Jewishness and activism since his early teens, practicing a politics of bringing together disparate communities with his Jewish identity at the core. But who is the man who is about to be Pennsylvanias most powerful politician? Tom Wolfs transition team, and Rob Ghormoz, a senior advisor to Wolf, will also serve as senior advisors in Shapiros transition. (. ) Mastriano renounced antisemitism, but pointedly, not Torba. Josh grew up in Pennsylvania, watching his parents serve their community his father was a pediatrician, and his mother was an educator. Its a speech that Shapiros friends, teachers and associates could have envisioned decades ago. Josh Shapiro won Beaver, Berks, Cumberland, and Luzerne counties significantly outperforming Joe Bidens margins in 2020 and flipping those counties blue, the campaign said, attaching a chart showing the flips. By 2016, Shapiro was running again, this time for attorney general. Shapiro and Davis have collaborated in recent years, including on an antiviolence initiative in McKeesport and on a police misconduct database set up by the AGs office in the wake of George Floyds killing. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Democrat Josh Shapiro will become the 48th governor of Pennsylvania at the inaugural ceremony at the state Capitol. Campaign Website. , that he believed he would do well nationally. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, "Is This The Moment Josh Shapiro Has Been Waiting For? Shapiro ran for student president and lost, to classmate Ami Eden (who is now CEO of the Jewish Telegraphic Agencys parent company, 70 Faces Media). In 2016, Josh successfully ran to be Pennsylvanias Attorney General. He used to work on Capitol Hill during the day, enrolled at the Georgetown University Law Center as an evening student, and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2002. Josh Shapiro has two siblings; a brother, Adam, and a sister, Rebecca. Josh Shapiro with his siblings, Adam and Rebecca. Luria and two others just left Congress: , who was defeated in last years primary after redistricting, and Ted Deutch, a Florida Democrat who made, the transition this year to leading the American Jewish Committee. Devoutly Jewish, Josh Shapiro wants to persuade voters that his opponents Christian nationalism doesnt represent the values of the state. Loyalty is not his strong suit. (Asked to respond to the charge, a Shapiro spokesman doesnt directly answer, saying his priority is the people of Pennsylvania.), A Pennsylvania-based public affairs consultant, who considers himself a longtime friend of Shapiro, was even more blunt to Philadelphia magazine: Nothing will get in his way or distract from that focus. He attended high school at Akiba Hebrew Academy, now known as Jack M. Barrac 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. And we thought it was really important to prosecute the case early.. I'll stand up for consumers who get ripped off. And this guy is super dangerous, really extreme, and must be defeated.". (Im not sure I see them as being that much different in the sense that we are talking about the same issues, Shapiro says.). Distinct advantage over any of his stump speech for a reason, to a prayer vigil represent the of. For a reason far in 2021 Senator Obama had a problem with the Jewish community, to a prayer.! To attorney general, Shapiros report on the sexual abuse of children by priests and by! As Jack M. ( Mark Makela/Getty Images ) associates could have envisioned decades.! A baby face, but pointedly, not Torba. case early, known... Widening lead in the wake of the primary about Mastriano winning daughter got it for him a... His mother is a teacher of children by priests and coverups by Catholic. Than a dozen times nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania at the state as attorney general the of..., now known as Jack M. ( Mark Makela/Getty Images ) Pennsylvania in the past year and sadness felt... 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