- The Washington Times - Saturday, July 27, 2024

A Democrat running in Pennsylvania accused Gov. Josh Shapiro, a top contender to be Kamala Harris’ running mate, of sweeping sexual harassment “under the rug.” 

Erin McClelland, a candidate for treasurer in the Keystone State, accused Mr. Shapiro of covering up a sexual harassment claim last year and said he wouldn’t make a good vice president. 

“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,” Ms. McClelland posted on X Friday. “I want someone that can speak to rural voters. That is [North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper].”

Mr. Cooper is another possible choice to be Ms. Harris’ running mate, earning accolades from Democrats for winning six straight statewide elections in North Carolina and passing Democratic legislation in a GOP-dominated state House.  

Ms. McClelland told the New York Post that Ms. Harris should “think strongly” about picking Mr. Shapiro and suggested the governor may not be satisfied with playing behind a woman. 

Ms. McClelland didn’t expand on her accusation that Mr. Shapiro swept sexual harassment under the rug. The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Shapiro’s office for comment. 

In October, reports emerged that Mr. Shapiro’s office settled a former employee’s claim that she was sexually harassed by a senior aide and agreed to pay her and her attorneys $295,000. 

The settlement stemmed from allegations made by the former employee that Mike Vereb, who was Mr. Shapiro’s secretary of legislative affairs until he resigned in September, made lewd and misogynistic remarks against her and that she faced retaliation. 

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.

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