Philadelphia mayor’s video mistaken for Harris VP pick leak creates brief ‘firestorm’

A political and media “firestorm” broke out briefly in Philadelphia on Friday over whether the city’s mayor had published a tweet and video mistakenly revealing that Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, was Kamala Harris’s eagerly awaited vice-presidential pick.

Heralding a “scoop”, Ernest Owens, a reporter for outlets including Philadelphia Magazine, said: “Philly political sources have told me that a staffer connected with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s team accidentally posted the video today.

“The video was scheduled for Monday … after VP Kamala Harris was expected to announce her pick. It’s Josh Shapiro, y’all.

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“I’m hearing there’s a ‘firestorm’ right now. I guess that’s an understatement.”

However, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer was quick to pour cold water on the “firestorm” claim.

Sean Collins Walsh wrote: “Did Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L Parker just announce who Kamala Harris’ running mate will be? As it turns out, no.”

According to the Inquirer, a “source close to Parker” said: “This is not an announcement of anything. This is just the mayor showing her support for a longtime friend who we know is one of the people being considered.”

The Guardian obtained a similar statement which said Parker on Friday had “NOT [made] an announcement”.

“It was merely the mayor supporting the governor’s potential vice presidential candidacy, which she did earlier this week also in Philadelphia,” the statement said.

Harris is the presumptive Democratic nominee for president against Donald Trump, the Republican candidate.

The vice-president is due to host her first rally with her running mate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, with a decision on the pick expected some time this weekend or on Monday.

Shapiro is one of six candidates reported to have been closely vetted.

A popular centrist opposed by some progressives, particularly over his stance on Israel and Gaza, he has been widely reported to be a leading contender alongside Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, and the Arizona senator Mark Kelly.

The video tweeted by @PeopleforParker on Friday was a little over a minute long and featured an upbeat message.

It featured political and union leaders boosting Harris and Shapiro, including the mayor telling a rally: “I can’t think of a better partner than our governor, Josh Shapiro.”

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Accompanying text read: “Proud to be back with so many leaders from across our region supporting Kamala Harris for president and Josh Shapiro for VP!”

Amid reports that Harris would interview candidates for running mate this weekend, Shapiro cancelled a scheduled fundraiser. As reported by the Inquirer, he was asked on Friday what he would be doing instead.

Laughing, the governor said: “Y’all think I’m going to tell you what I’m doing? Come on.”