(WHTM) — You might already know Josh Shapiro as the 48th Governor of Pennsylvania, or as a former Pennsylvania Attorney General, but what else do we know about the potential presidential or vice presidential candidate?

Shapiro, a Democrat, assumed office in 2023 as Governor following a two-term stint as Attorney General.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

He was raised in suburban Philadelphia — in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County — and graduated from Akiba Hebrew Academy.

Shapiro cut his teeth in the political sphere at the University of Rochester, where he majored in political science and was elected student body president in 1992.

A lawyer, he earned a doctorate in law from Georgetown University Law Center in 2002.

After several years working as Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, a Montgomery County representative, he ran for the state House of Representatives in the 153rd Legislative District, also in Montgomery County. He won the seat in 2004 and served until 2012 while also practicing corporate law.

In 2012, he left Harrisburg to return to Montgomery County, where he ran for and won a seat as County Commissioner. He served as chair of the board until 2017.

Then-Governor Tom Wolf tapped Shapiro to serve as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in 2015.

He ran for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2016, vying to replace the embattled Kathleen Kane.

Perhaps, Shapiro’s legacy as Attorney General is an investigation into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Over 300 so-called “predator priests” were identified across six Pennsylvania dioceses.

Shapiro also facilitated a settlement between Highmark and UPMC, two healthcare giants that had been in a dispute for years.

In 2022, he ran for Governor, facing state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams/Franklin), whom he defeated by a wide margin.

Shapiro is married and a father of four children. He’s also an outspoken Philadelphia sports fan, regularly appearing at sporting events across the state.

As Governor, Shapiro has touted successes including the rebuilding of the collapsed section of I-95 in Philadelphia in 12 days, passing a new funding plan for education in this year’s budget, getting funding for more State Troopers, and eliminating the college degree requirement for a majority of state jobs.

He’s also had disputes with Democrats over school vouchers and has been an outspoken advocate for pro-choice policies.

Shapiro has endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

“When our founders came together in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to declare our independence and establish our democracy, they did so with the clear understanding that we would only succeed if we were united. In the 248 years since, our country and our people have been tested – but the American spirit has always triumphed.

“Despite our individual differences, when our safety was threatened, when our values and freedoms were attacked, when the stakes were high, Americans have found ways to come together and unite behind common cause and common purpose. That’s the lesson of our founders who gathered in Pennsylvania two-and-a-half centuries ago – and it’s the lesson our Party must learn from now.

“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – we’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.

“The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States.”

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