Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Quiet Campaign Against AOC-Backed Progressive Candidate

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is quietly working behind the scenes to derail a left-wing congressional candidate backed by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The May 19 primary is emerging as an early battleground for the two potential 2028 presidential campaign rivals. The contest also reflects the broader national divide within the Democratic Party between its liberal and centrist factions.

Driving the News

Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Chris Rabb, a progressive state lawmaker from Philadelphia running in a competitive three-way Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. She is rumored to visit Philadelphia this month to campaign for Rabb, has fundraised for his campaign, and has publicly posted in support of him on social media.

While Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal in her backing of Rabb, Shapiro has remained publicly silent on the race. However, according to three people familiar with the discussions, Shapiro and his team have privately expressed disapproval of Rabb and taken steps to obstruct his path to victory.

Long-Standing Tensions Between Rabb and Shapiro

Rabb has been a persistent critic of Shapiro for years. In January, he posted on Instagram,

“Governor Shapiro, stop state collaboration with ICE!”

Such open confrontation from a Democratic state legislator toward the governor is rare.

In 2022, Rabb also drew attention when he did not immediately dismiss calls from supporters to challenge Shapiro in that year’s gubernatorial primary. Ultimately, Rabb chose not to run.

Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering

According to two sources, Shapiro has privately advised Philadelphia’s building trades unions to avoid actions that could inadvertently benefit Rabb—the only progressive in the race—by targeting one of his center-left opponents. Specifically, Shapiro suggested that the unions, which support another candidate, Sharif Street, refrain from running negative ads against a third contender, Ala Stanford.

Street and Stanford are viewed as traditional Democrats with overlapping voter bases.

Some political strategists believe that if Rabb wins the primary, he could pose challenges for Shapiro in a potential 2028 presidential campaign. Rabb has a history of clashing with Shapiro, and his prominence on the national stage could amplify those conflicts.

“Chris is an actual problem for [Shapiro] for what he wants to be when he grows up,” said one Pennsylvania Democratic strategist.

Rabb has publicly praised Ocasio-Cortez, calling her “the progressive standard bearer of this generation.”

What’s Next in the Race

Shapiro has not yet endorsed a candidate in the primary, and some Democrats speculate that he may refrain from doing so due to the complex political pressures he faces. For example:

• Shapiro ally Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) is backing Stanford.
• Many of the governor’s labor allies support Street.

Adding to the complexity, Shapiro has a strained history with Street.

The Other Side: Shapiro’s Alliances with the Left

Despite his differences with Rabb, Shapiro has aligned himself with other progressive figures. He is supporting Bob Brooks, a candidate endorsed by Bernie Sanders, in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District race. Additionally, Shapiro has formed alliances with a Working Families Party city council member in Philadelphia.

Ocasio-Cortez is not the only potential 2028 presidential candidate who has endorsed Rabb. Other figures in the progressive wing have also thrown their support behind him.