Eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run, Pennsylvania’s governor has had to navigate a few unexpected hurdles in the way.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, recently experienced another trial in his rookie year as Pennsylvania’s governor, even as his approval rating rocketed to more than 60%, according to a poll from the conservative Commonwealth Foundation.
On Sept. 28, SpotlightPA broke news that Mike Vereb, who resigned as Shapiro’s secretary of legislative affairs earlier in the week, was accused of sexual harassment against a female Shapiro administrative employee months earlier. Multiple other news outlets confirmed that a complaint was filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, although Vereb has declined to comment on multiple interviews.
According to multiple outlets, the complaint alleges Vereb made multiple inappropriate comments both to the staffer and about a female senator. The staffer left her position in March.
Parties who file complaints with the commission are allowed to settle privately, even after filing. It’s unclear where the complaint currently stands. Two former aides to Shapiro have spoken to multiple different outlets disputing portions of the complaint.
The complaint and resignation raised concerns over Shapiro’s knowledge of Vereb’s behavior, especially with the time gap between the two events. Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward said the issue “raises concerns related to [the Governor’s office] workplace practices” in a press release and brought up the still unfinished budget.
Ward has frequently sparred with Shapiro, especially earlier in the year during the school voucher-related budget implosion.
At a press conference for an unrelated issue last week, Shapiro spoke publicly on the matter for the first time. Instead of answering direct questions on the issue or mentioning Vereb by name, he pointed to his administration’s track record, including his chief of staff and general counsel, who are both women.
Shapiro’s response to Ward was simple—“consider the source.”
Vereb has worked with Shapiro for decades, including as a staffer in the office of attorney general while Shapiro held the position.
In that position, Shapiro prosecuted the Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse scandal, implicating more than 300 priests for child sexual abuse, which he pointed to when asked about the accusation against Vereb in an interview with Politico.
A national outlet reporting on a small staffer resignation in a governor’s office may seem unusual, but not when considering Shapiro’s position as what many see as a rising star in Democratic politics.
On Sept. 30, Shapiro visited New Hampshire, a state known for its importance in presidential primaries. He addressed the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s annual convention, delivering the keynote address. During the address, Shapiro noted his major successes, including the reconstruction of I-95 in the summer.
His speech ended with a standing ovation.
Political pundits have watched Shapiro’s rise through Pennsylvania’s political scheme, as a state representative, county commissioner and attorney general. Now at the top political position in the state, he could be eyeing a national role—including a 2028 presidential bid. Seventeen presidents have held the position of governor first, and many state governors dip their toes into primaries. The last president who was previously a governor was Texan George W. Bush, who was a Republican.
The fallout from Vereb’s resignation could be an indicator of just how many more standing ovations Shapiro will receive. As indicated by polling, the late budget did not seem to impact his popularity among the people of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro still has at least three more years to navigate as governor. Pennsylvania and the nation is watching.
