Here’s what happened.
Speculation about the 2028 presidential election is already heating up — and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro may be the latest Democrat whose name is being floated as a potential White House contender.
During a recent interview on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the Pennsylvania Democrat declined to confirm whether he plans to run for president. But his responses only fueled more questions about his political future.
With Democrats already searching for their next national leader after President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Shapiro is increasingly appearing on the list of possible candidates.
Interview Sparks 2028 Speculation
Shapiro appeared on Maher’s show Friday to promote his new book, Where We Keep the Light. But the conversation quickly turned to politics — and the possibility of a 2028 presidential campaign.
Maher joked that politicians often publish books when they are preparing to run for president.
Shapiro pushed back, saying the book was written to highlight the resilience and character of working Americans in Pennsylvania.
Still, the host continued to press the issue.
After Shapiro discussed his accomplishments as governor, Maher quipped that it sounded like he was “well on his way to the nomination.”
Shapiro laughed but declined to play along.
“I’m not going to take the bait,” he replied.
While the governor avoided making any official announcement, his rising national profile has already sparked conversations among political observers about his long-term ambitions.
A Rising Name Inside the Democratic Party
Shapiro has been gaining attention in Democratic political circles for several years.
In fact, he was considered a serious contender for the vice-presidential slot during the 2024 election. Former Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly evaluated Shapiro as a potential running mate before ultimately selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Since Democrats lost that election to President Trump, many party strategists have begun looking ahead to the next presidential cycle.
Several Democratic governors are expected to weigh potential campaigns — and Shapiro’s name is frequently included in those early discussions.
Israel Debate Creates Tensions Within the Party
Shapiro has also drawn national attention for his outspoken support of Israel, particularly following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas.
Like many Democrats at the time, he condemned the violence and expressed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
However, his stance also placed him in the middle of a growing divide within the Democratic Party.
In 2024, pro-Palestinian protests erupted on college campuses across the country. Shapiro sharply criticized universities that he believed were failing to protect Jewish students.
He also urged the University of Pennsylvania to dismantle a protest encampment that he argued had become a threat to campus safety.
That move drew backlash from some progressive activists.
In his memoir, Shapiro recalled being asked during the vice-presidential vetting process whether he would apologize to pro-Palestinian demonstrators he had criticized.
His response was blunt.
“No,” he wrote.
Polls Show Voters Are Divided
Even in Pennsylvania, voters appear split on whether Shapiro would be a strong presidential candidate.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that:
- 40% of Pennsylvania voters believe Shapiro would make a good president
- 43% believe he would not
Support among Democrats was significantly higher, with about 69% saying they believe he could perform well in the role.
However, independent voters remain skeptical, with nearly half saying they do not believe he would be a strong president.
The Road to 2028
For now, Shapiro insists he is focused on governing Pennsylvania rather than planning a presidential campaign.
But as the 2028 election cycle slowly begins to take shape, speculation around possible Democratic candidates is only expected to grow.
Whether Shapiro eventually enters the race remains uncertain.
One thing is clear: the conversation about who will lead the Democratic Party after Trump is already underway.