Josh Shapiro to nominate Al Schmidt as Pennsylvania secretary of state

Why it matters: At a time when public trust in the electoral process is besieged by false claims of voter fraud, Schmidt is viewed by many as a reliable defender after overseeing the contentious 2020 election in Philly.

• Pennsylvania is expected to be a key battleground state in the 2024 presidential election.

Zoom in: Schmidt is currently the president of the Committee of Seventy, an independent government watchdog group in the city.

• He previously served as a Philadelphia city commissioner, a trio of elected officials who manage the city's elections, until late 2021.

What they're saying: "Schmidt has a proven track record of defending our democracy, protecting voting rights, and standing up to extremism — even in the face of grave threats," Shapiro said in a statement.

• Schmidt said in a statement that he would work to ensure elections remain free and fair in the state.

What's next: Shapiro will be sworn in on Jan. 17. The state Senate will need to confirm Schmidt's nomination.