A Philly DNC convention — and a possible Shapiro moment
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Picture this scenario: Gov. Josh Shapiro strolls onstage at the Democratic National Convention in Philly to accept his party's nomination for president in 2028.
Why it matters: That's not a political pipe dream.
- It's a possibility now that Philly is a finalist to host the DNC during the upcoming presidential election.
Reality check: A lot has to go right between now and then for Shapiro and Philly.
- No. 1: Shapiro must notch a decisive win in this year's gubernatorial race against his likely opponent, Stacy Garrity, to bolster his presidential prospects — and then would still face what could be a crowded primary.
- No. 2: Now that the bids are in, Philly's Democratic leaders — including Mayor Cherelle Parker — must ramp up their behind-the-scenes lobbying to persuade DNC officials that Philly is ready for the national stage.
The intrigue: It's rare but not unprecedented for a presidential candidate to accept the party's nomination in their home state.
- For example: In 1952, then-Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson accepted the Democratic nomination in his home state at Chicago's International Amphitheater.
Flashback: Shapiro — once on then-Vice President Kamala Harris' shortlist of VP candidates — delivered a prime-time speech at the 2024 DNC in Chicago, focusing on America's "path to decency."
- His star has continued to rise since then: He's been on a nationwide tour touting his memoir and was the subject of an Atlantic profile.
Yes, but: He's also made frenemies with some Democrats who view him as overly ambitious and willing to elbow aside allies to get ahead.
What they're saying: For Shapiro, accepting the Democratic nomination in Philly may register as another crowning moment for the cradle of democracy, St. Joe's professor emeritus of history and political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios.
- Yes, but: It's unlikely to move the needle in the broader presidential race, since at that point, most everyone would know Shapiro, he added.
- "It's always good to have the hometown team rooting for you," Miller says. "It's a nice bonus, but it's not a [decisive] factor."