A Democrat candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania has leveled a serious accusation against Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has been rising on Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist of potential running mates.

Treasurer nominee Erin McClelland “appeared to accuse Shapiro of sexism and covering up sexual harassment,” going on to “imply he wouldn’t be satisfied playing second fiddle” to Harris, she wrote in a tweet Tuesday evening.

“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. I want someone that can speak to rural voters,” she wrote, endorsing North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

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. I want someone that can speak to rural voters. That is @RoyCooperNC

— Erin McClelland (@ErinforPA) July 23, 2024

Cooper’s name has also been mentioned as a potential Harris running mate.

The New York Post added: “McClelland noted she did not mention Shapiro’s name directly in her tweet but told The Post her concerns about the extent of the governor’s presidential ambitions should he be added to the ticket.”

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“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.

The Treasurer candidate did not provide further details on her accusation Shapiro “swept sexual harassment under the rug,” but The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that she “was likely referring to a sexual harassment scandal in Shapiro’s office last year.”

The Post continued:

The scandal involved a woman who accused her boss, Shapiro legislative liaison Mike Vereb, of sexual harassment. The governor’s office quietly reached a $295,000 settlement with her.

Vereb, who’s been close to Shapiro for decades, did not resign from his Cabinet-level position until months after an internal complaint was filed, the Inquirer reported.

The outlet added that other Pennsylvania Democrats are still backing Shapiro regardless of McClelland’s comments.

Earlier this week, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emerged as one unexpected VP candidate among many others.

Buttigieg unambiguously endorsed Harris in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, citing the historic significance of Biden’s resignation.

“We had a great conversation,” Buttigieg said. “You know, I have campaigned alongside her. I have traveled with her. I have served with her. And she’s going to be an extraordinary leader for the ticket, for the party, and for the country as president.” When questioned directly about his willingness to serve as Vice President if asked, Buttigieg maintained a diplomatic stance.”

“She’s going to make that decision. She’s going to do it based on what’s best for the country, best for the party, and best for the ticket. I will do everything in my power to make sure that she is the next president because it’s so important and it’s really most of all important in terms of how everyday life is going to change,” Buttigieg said, leaving the door open to the possibility without overtly asserting his ambition.

Harris is reportedly narrowing down her list of possible running mates in case she wins the Democratic Party nomination next month, Conservative Brief reported on Thursday. She already appears to have a sufficient number of delegates to win the nomination, though there has been some grumbling among Democrats that there should be an open convention, citing concerns with Harris’ electability.

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