Senator John Fetterman's advisers have reportedly criticized Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, adding fuel to the speculation surrounding the vice presidential selection process. According to Politico, Fetterman's longstanding feud with Shapiro stems from their differing approaches and concerns over personal ambitions. The rift between the two was particularly evident during their tenure on Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons, where Fetterman leaned towards leniency, leading to clashes over high-profile cases like that of the Horton brothers.

The disagreement between Fetterman and Shapiro came to a head during the consideration of clemency for Lee and Dennis Horton, who were convicted in a 1993 robbery and shooting. As the lieutenant governor, Fetterman advocated for their freedom, citing his belief in their innocence. However, Shapiro, serving as Pennsylvania's attorney general at the time, expressed reservations due to missing court documentation. The vote initially failed 2-3 in 2019, with Fetterman and Shapiro on opposing sides.

Fetterman's dissatisfaction with Shapiro's handling of the Horton case intensified, and he hinted at the possibility of challenging Shapiro's governorship ambitions. The tension eventually led to Shapiro endorsing clemency for the Horton brothers in December 2020, but the strain in their relationship remained. Fetterman's allies have reportedly shared their candid assessment of Shapiro with the Harris campaign, focusing on personal dynamics rather than policy differences or other public baggage, anonymous sources told Politico.

While other prominent figures in the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, such as Senator Bob Casey, have publicly praised Shapiro, Fetterman has remained notably silent on the matter. The Washington Post reached out to both Fetterman's office and Shapiro's team for comment, but no response has been provided as of yet.

With Vice President Harris expected to meet with several potential running mates, including Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, the selection process has reached a critical phase. Harris plans to discuss the VP selection with the finalists on Sunday at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, Harris is scheduled to campaign alongside her running mate in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This comes after she officially secured the necessary delegates to secure her party's nomination on Friday.

While Shapiro has canceled scheduled events amid the imminent decision, concerns have arisen among progressive circles regarding his support for Israel during the recent Hamas conflict. Some strategists fear that this issue could potentially impact the Democratic ticket, particularly in Michigan. However, top Jewish Democrats have pushed back against such criticism, arguing that Shapiro is being unfairly targeted due to his faith.

Given Pennsylvania's status as a critical battleground state with 19 Electoral College votes, the ongoing rivalry between Fetterman and Shapiro could have implications not just for the VP selection process but also for future Democratic campaigns in the state.