Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’ Democratic presidential campaign alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (not pictured) in Ambler, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 2024.
Rachel Wisniewski | Reuters
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro canceled a trip to the Hamptons, a luxury New York beach resort, because he is being considered as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
Shapiro was scheduled to attend at least two events in the Hamptons, including a meeting with wealthy donors at the home of his publicist, Mike Kampner.
“The governor’s trip was planned weeks in advance and included several fundraisers for his campaign committee,” Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder confirmed to NBC News. “His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.”
The meeting, to be held at Kempner’s home in Water Mill, New York, on Sunday is expected to be attended by more than 100 people, including people from the legal, sports and financial industries, the person said. The person was granted anonymity to speak freely about personal matters.
According to the invitation, Shapiro was scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the group The Next 50 in East Hampton on Saturday.
Shapiro has emerged as a popular candidate among some Harris advisers, in part because he is popular in must-win states. Shapiro’s approval ratings are among the highest of any governor in the country.
He is also widely seen as a moderate Democrat with a pro-business agenda and a willingness to find common ground with Republicans.
Harris’s campaign has already announced that she and her running mate will begin a week of intense campaigning in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
The location further fueled speculation that Shapiro could be the running mate.
