Top Democratic officials in Pennsylvania will be keeping their distance when President Joe Biden visits the state Friday.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a likely contender in the gubernatorial election, will skip Biden’s event in Pittsburgh touting his administration’s accomplishments, according to the Associated Press. The campaigns for both Democrats cited scheduling conflicts.
“Josh Shapiro is running to be the governor of Pennsylvania, and he’s focused on the issues that matter to Pennsylvania families,” said Will Simons, a spokesman for the attorney general.
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRAT FIGHT IS BATTLE IN LEFT-VERSUS-CENTRIST WAR
“Like every American should, Josh wants our president to be successful, and we’ll continue welcoming President Biden to his home state of Pennsylvania,” Simons added.
Neither Fetterman nor Shapiro gave any indication that political reasons factored into the decision not to attend, but the snubs come at a time when Biden’s approval ratings have tanked, and many Democrats are fearful he may drag them down.
A poll released Jan. 25 from the Pew Research Center showed that Biden has a 41% approval rating compared to a 56% disapproval rating. A poll average reported by RealClearPolitics shows Biden with a 40.8% approval rating versus a 53% disapproval rating.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The office for Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat who is also running for the Senate, said he will be in attendance at Biden’s event.
Other top Democrats seeking office have either expressed no interest in wanting Biden’s help or have missed an opportunity to appear with the president.
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke told reporters that he did not want help from “any national politician — anyone outside of Texas” as he runs for governor. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat from Georgia, skipped an opportunity to appear with Biden at an event as she campaigns to be the next governor in the state.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has joined Democrats in expressing concerns over whether the party should embrace so-called Biden Democrats.
“I want every Democrat to run as Democrats who deliver,” said Hoyer in an interview with Politico.
Biden won Pennsylvania in 2020 with roughly 50% support compared to 48.8% for former President Donald Trump, who won the state in 2016 by a slim margin.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Fetterman and Shapiro for a statement but did not receive a response.
