Senator JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio, is accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of yielding to extreme leftist opinions within the Democratic Party when selecting her running mate for the upcoming November election.
“She capitulated to the Hamas faction of the Democratic Party,” Vance stated during a rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Wednesday.
He is the most recent GOP figure to criticize Harris for selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate instead of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, claiming the latter’s Jewish background played a role in her decision.
Former President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have made similar accusations.
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GOP running mate JD Vance criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her decisions regarding her running mate choice. (Getty Images)
“No matter how you feel about Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro – and we clearly belong to different political parties – the level of outrage from the far left claiming, ‘Kamala Harris can’t choose this man because he’s Jewish,’ is unacceptable,” Vance remarked.
“I want my children to grow up in a nation where they can aspire to be anything they choose, without facing harassment over their ethnic background, which should never be deemed acceptable.”
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Harris selected Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
“It’s not just the comments made about Shapiro. It’s the manner in which Harris, along with her administration and campaign, fails to counter these assertions. I find it quite scandalous,” he added.
However, the Harris campaign did respond to the allegations, stating to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that “claims suggesting Vice President Harris did not choose Governor Shapiro based on his religion or views on Israel are completely absurd and offensive.”
Republicans have largely expressed delight and relief at Harris’ decision to opt for Walz over Shapiro, branding the Minnesota governor a progressive radical due to his COVID-19 policies, support for gender-affirming care for minors, and financial assistance to undocumented immigrants.
Harris, whose spouse is Jewish, is faced with the challenge of managing the growing divides within the Democratic Party regarding Israel, as an increasing number of progressive members advocate for distancing the U.S. from its longstanding Middle Eastern ally.
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Governor Josh Shapiro was seen as a leading candidate for the role. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
In the crucial moments leading up to her announcement on Tuesday, Harris conferred with Shapiro, Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
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Shapiro was believed to be a strong contender for the position given his role as the governor of a pivotal swing state.
However, reports suggest Harris ultimately deemed Walz to be a more suitable match based on his personality and campaign approach.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign and Shapiro’s office for their responses to Vance’s statements.
