Gov. Josh Shapiro rallies behind Harris and Walz after getting passed over for VP

Gov. Josh Shapiro, fresh off getting passed over as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, still took the stage to tout Harris’ campaign at her rally Tuesday in Philadelphia.

As he took the stage at Temple University’s packed Liacouras Center as a campaign surrogate rather than a vice presidential candidate, he got a sustained standing ovation. And he gave a rousing speech, straining his voice by the end, in support of Harris and Walz.

“I want you to know I am going to continue to pour my heart and soul into serving you every single day as your governor,” Shapiro said to start his remarks.

The thunderous applause as Shapiro spoke — which made him inaudible at points — illustrated Pennsylvania Democrats’ love for the first-term governor who is known to have national political ambitions.

Harris’ decision not to select Shapiro was impacted by factors political and personal, according to sources familiar with the process.

But the vetting and decision process appeared to be quickly swept under the rug for Shapiro and Harris, former prosecutors who have known each other for two decades, by Tuesday evening. Harris, in her remarks as she took the stage in Philadelphia shortly after Shapiro’s address, called the Pennsylvania governor a “dear, dear friend and an extraordinary leader.”

She also noted that she will still rely on Shapiro’s help to win his home state.

More from Philadelphia Inquirer Video:

[brucebehling]

I love being your governor. (Now that I got passed over for V.P.) Otherwise I would have been out of here!!

[irisheyes]

My favorite Governor...so glad he is stayin...Shapiro for President 2032!

[ared]

God please shut down this mess thank you amen

[andremaartens]

Dream on. In November, you will wake up in shock.