Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a top contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, has canceled three weekend fund-raising events in the Hamptons. These wealthy New York towns were set to host him.
The cancellations occurred just days before Harris is expected to announce her running mate at a Philadelphia rally on Tuesday. The reason for the trip cancellations remains unclear.
"The governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fund-raisers for his own campaign committee," Manuel Bonder, Shapiro's spokesman, told The New York Times. "His schedule has changed, and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend."
One of the events was a "summer soiree" for The Next 50, a liberal youth-advocacy group. Shapiro, 51, was promoted as a "special guest," the Times reported.
Shapiro's potential VP candidacy is under scrutiny. The National Women’s Defense League urges Harris to reconsider choosing Shapiro due to his handling of a sexual harassment case involving former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb.
"Governor Shapiro’s office should have done a better job preventing sexual harassment happening in his own office by former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb, including protecting the survivor who bravely came forward, ensuring that any other potential survivors felt safe in speaking up, and ensuring the harasser didn’t have the opportunity to do further harm after the complaint," NWDL Director Emma Davidson Tribbs said in a statement.
"As the Harris Campaign and the Democratic Party consider their options for Vice Presidential candidates, we urge them to consider the handling of past complaints of sexual harassment inside the Pennsylvania Governor’s office," Tribbs added. "The American people deserve to know that, if called to a higher office, Governor Shapiro will do more to ensure the safety and dignity of employees, volunteers and constituents in his office."
Vereb stepped down in September 2023 after Shapiro’s administration quietly agreed to pay $295,000 to settle claims from a governor’s office employee. She said Vereb made unwanted sexual advances and spoke openly about her, other staff members, and a female state senator, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
"Although the Commonwealth does not comment on specific personnel matters, it takes allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously," Bonder told Fox News in a statement.
"Robust procedures are in place for thoroughly investigating reports of discrimination and harassment – and these procedures are implemented whenever complaints of discrimination or harassment are made and provide detailed guidance to help ensure that allegations are promptly and fully investigated and that employees feel comfortable to report misconduct," he added.