Josh Shapiro is in the conversation — but he’s light-years away from the top of the 2024 presidential ballot.

As Democratic panic continues following Biden’s bad debate performance June 27, Shapiro’s name has been placed on potential short lists — even if the chances he replaces Biden on the ticket are extremely slim. While the Pennsylvania governor has shown no outward signs of vying for the job, his name keeps coming up.

Shapiro is a logical candidate for Democrats to mention in Pennsylvania, where he remains its most popular elected official in a critical battleground state. While he’s been largely untested on the national stage, he’s listed with some politicians whose political resumes and national profiles make them more likely replacements — if Biden makes the extraordinary move of stepping aside.

“There’s a case to be made for Josh,” said Biden fundraiser Alan Kessler. “You don’t win in November without winning Pennsylvania. Does it have any basis in reality? No. This is not about Josh or (California Gov.) Gavin Newsom or any of the others. This is about what is realistic.”

For a replacement to even be considered, Biden would need to decline the nomination, which the White House stated Wednesday he is not considering. But the New York Times reported he’s discussed the possibility with a close ally. Shapiro was to attend Wednesday night’s meeting with Biden and other Democratic governors about the future of his campaign.

Should Biden decline the nomination, many in the party see Vice President Kamala Harris as the obvious replacement. She’d inherit the campaign infrastructure and funding. She’s been a loyal part of the administration for three years and is often the go-to voice to defend Biden on the trail. Passing over her could alienate her supporters, including some Black voters who have already drifted away from Biden in recent polling.

“She’s the vice president,” Kessler said. “She’s pining to be president. There’s nothing anyone could offer her that would satisfy her other than the presidency.”

If not Harris, many strategists see more likely picks among governors who have been elected to two terms, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg ran for president in 2020 and has remained in the spotlight. Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, who won reelection in 2023, has also gained national attention for his unlikely success in the traditionally red state.

Shapiro’s name has also come up as a potential vice presidential pick, should Harris be the nominee.

Shapiro doesn’t seem as if he’s angling for the nomination. He’s gone on news shows post-debate, defending the president and saying he will “fight like hell” to reelect Biden, while rejecting questions about a potential replacement. Even when offered the opportunity to speak off-record, members of his administration are disciplined and have declined to speculate on the topic.

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