Should Shapiro run for president? Here’s what his neighbors said at the polls.
Most of the voters interviewed at Gov. Josh Shapiro's predominantly Democratic polling place on Tuesday said they like him as a person, even if they have different political views.
Many voters at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s predominantly Democratic polling place on Tuesday said they like him as a person and a politician — and would elect him president should he choose to run in 2028.
Most people who spoke to The Inquirer said they’d support his presidential run based more on personal qualities and values than a policy platform.
Zibo Hasan, 49, who voted to reelect Shapiro as governor on Tuesday, said her support for a potential presidential run comes from personal experience.
“When I lost my mom, he helped me with a lot of things,” Hasan said, and his office “was really on time, answering a lot of letters.”
“He has a fairness about him and a concern for everyone,” said Debra Fitzgerald, 67, of Huntingdon Valley. “He has a political demeanor that isn’t demeaning.”
Some voters said they’d known Shapiro’s family before he’d held public office.
“His father was my sons’ pediatrician until they were 18 years old,” said Diana Eidenshink, 62, a registered Republican who voted for both Shapiro and Rep. Madeleine Dean. “Big fan of the whole family.”
Gillian Golson said she’s more aligned with the progressive Working Families Party than the mainstream Democratic Party, and would prefer a different presidential candidate.
“Shapiro is a little bit more centrist than I am,” Golson said. “But ... if he gets the nomination, then I will vote for him.”
The support comes even after the longtime Abington resident traded lawsuits with adjacent homeowners over a sliver of land. The dispute shook up the quiet, suburban neighborhood, though other current and former residents of the street told The Inquirer they’ve had good relationships with both families.
Shapiro has accused the neighbors in question of refusing to reach an amicable resolution for political reasons, in part because their lawyer advertises his work on conservative causes.
Even most Republicans voting against him on Tuesday did not mention the land dispute — and those who did were relatively amicable.
“When you look at that property, you would never know whose property it is,” said Republican county committee person Lisa Mallon, 62. “I’m not going to sit here and say he stole half [of it] — still, if it’s your neighbor ... fix it.”
Mallon doesn’t think Shapiro could win the presidency because of antisemitism. “That’s sad to me. I want you to not win because your policies stink, not because of what your religious affiliation is,” she said.
“As a person, I have nothing against him,” said unaffiliated voter Maz Syed, 50. “Politics is different.”
Syed, who voted for Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Ken Krawchuk, said that on the one hand, electing a non-politician like President Donald Trump has been “a disaster.” But on the other hand, he would like to see more presidential options from outside the establishment. Shapiro, who worked his way up through county commissioner and state attorney general offices, doesn’t fit that bill.
Shapiro has not announced a 2028 bid and did not address it at the Abington polling place on Tuesday morning. His midterm Election Day was far from over, Democratic Party spokesperson Ava Pitruzzello said.
Inquirer Greater Abington
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