Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, has sought to toe the line on school choice in his state, but now he's under attack from all sides after topping the shortlist for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

Shapiro supported the Republican school voucher proposal. 2022 Campaign The governor introduced a bill to allocate $100 million to private school tuition, but withdrew it after Democrats in the state House of Representatives objected to the measure and said it would not pass. according to Despite facing continued criticism from pro-school choice groups and, last week, from 28 anti-school choice groups for his shaky stance on the issue, Shapiro is now being seen as one of the leading contenders to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the upcoming presidential election.

Governor Had made School choice was a key part of his 2022 campaign, and he said during the campaign that he believes it's important for parents to be able to choose their children's school and to be able to fund public schools. Spotlight PA reportHe supported school voucher systems as long as they did not reduce funding for public schools.

“We're obviously disappointed that he didn't follow through on his campaign promise to support educational choice and choice for kids who need it,” Sharon Sedler, founder and president of Pennsylvania Families for Educational Choice, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Shapiro repeatedly supported the “Lifeline” scholarships during his campaign and threatened to veto them in 2023, even though the program has passed the state Senate twice. according to The money will be donated to the Commonwealth Foundation. The Lifeline Scholarship is a program that provides Educational Opportunity Accounts (EOAs) to students attending schools ranked in the bottom 15% based on academic performance.

“It's really troubling that he didn't fight for the lifeline or the past scholarships,” Sedler continued. “Not only does it seem like he's siding with people who are opposed to education choice policies and the promotion of educational freedom, it's equally troubling that he actually seems to be in favor of what they call education option reform.”

On July 24, 28 public school advocacy groups from across the country letter Vice President Kamala Harris urged her not to select Shapiro as her running mate in November's presidential election, after school choice opponents wrote him a letter arguing that his stance on education issues was too similar to The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025. outline Parents should have choices in their children's education. (Related: Report: Vetting of Harris VP nominees underway; one key name ruled out)

“It is our sincere hope that your running mate will reflect your strong history of supporting educators and students and your passion for building a middle class that demands strong public schools across the nation,” the group's letter read. “For this reason, we respectfully urge you not to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.”

The original $100 million private school tuition scholarship program drew criticism from Democrats, teachers unions and school board members when it was being considered, and Shapiro agreed to exercise a “line-item veto” of the program in July 2023 despite his previous support. according to To the Associated Press.

Another letter is sent On Tuesday, several progressive leaders from around the country sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris urging her not to select Shapiro as her running mate, saying he has “made too many controversial policy decisions on issues like school choice.”

“They have the votes to pass. [scholarship programs] “Will the governor use his influence on other issues like this,” Nathan Benefield, senior vice president of the Commonwealth Foundation, told DCNF. “He hasn't done that on school choice. He hasn't backed down from saying he supports school choice, but he hasn't used his power as governor, either rhetorically or with influence, to get House Democrats to push it.”

Shapiro faced new controversy in late July when a watchdog group accused Pennsylvania's teachers union of laundering $1.5 million into the governor's 2022 campaign. The Freedom Foundation filed three complaints against multiple groups, accusing the Pennsylvania Education Association of money laundering.

“Rather than using his position to build a coalition to give Pennsylvania's children the best educational opportunities, the governor has allowed the teachers unions to flex their power and push their extreme political agenda at the expense of future generations,” Allie Mare, executive director of the American Parents United, told DCNF. “Governor Shapiro is just another politician who is either beyond incompetent and powerless, or in the pocket of the teachers unions. When it comes to their children's education, parents should have choices, and policies like school choice and curriculum transparency allow them to do just that.”

“I think this is one of several issues where he tried to take both sides,” Benefield told DCNF.

Shapiro's office did not comment to the DCNF.

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