Rising Democratic star takes swipe at JD Vance as sparks fly ahead of potential 2028 matchup
Shapiro, a popular Democrat who's among the top names floated as a viable future White House hopeful, was in Pittsburgh attending the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, headlined by President Donald Trump.
Vance is headed to Pennsylvania Wednesday to tout the 'big, beautiful bill,' which Trump signed into law on the Fourth of July.
The vice president is also considered a top pick for the 2028 GOP nomination.
Shapiro told the Daily Mail in a gaggle with reporters that he's been very clear about the so-called 'big, beautiful bill.'
'I think it's going to hurt Pennsylvania,' he said. 'I think it's a bill that's going to take us back. I'm also just deeply concerned about the $3.4 trillion that they're adding to the debt.'
Vance will travel to West Pittson in the commonwealth's northeast Luzerne County, where he's expected to hold a rally-like event at a manufacturing facility.
'For someone who's preached a long time about the deficit, this takes us the wrong way,' Shapiro said of Vance and his backing of BBB. 'So I don't know what the vice president's going to say, but I think it's hypocrisy given what his record is and what this bill actually does.'
The Pennsylvania Democrat also noted how Vance 'professes to care about the middle class and working class' and the 'big, beautiful bill' includes cuts to programs including Medicaid.
Shapiro was more diplomatic earlier when he was seated alongside Pennsylvania's Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, who put together the Tuesday's summit, held on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University.
The governor and McCormick were commended by Penn State President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi for working in a bipartisan manner and asked if they had 'any pointers on how you build that culture?'
'We've got profound differences,' Shapiro said. 'We're honest about differing on the bill that was just passed, the reconciliation bill that was just passed last week, but we also understand how critically important it is to grow our economy in Pennsylvania, this unique moment we are in right now.'
'And the senator knows I bring certain tools to the conversation that he doesn't bring, and I know he brings certain tools to the conversation that I don't bring,' the Democrat continued. 'And if actually work together, one plus one starts to equal three instead of two.'
Shapiro said that he and McCormick, who beat longtime Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in last year's election, are honest about their differences.
'We try and do so in a private way and in a respectful way. I think we need to find more ways to disagree respectfully in this country, like candidly,' Shapiro continued. 'And I think, you know, hopefully this can be a model for others.'
Another speaker at the conference, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who served as Trump's energy secretary during the president's first term, was also willing to deliver a compliment across the aisle.
Perry, who was being interviewed by journalist and author Salena Zito, first took aim at another possible 2028 Democratic hopeful - California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
'Gavin Newsom came to see me when he was lieutenant governor, trying to have a conversation about, "How are you getting all of our businesses out of California to come to Texas?"' Perry recalled.
'And I told him ... this isn't rocket science, I said, this is really pretty easy. Don't over-tax, don't over-regulate, don't over-litigate and have a skilled workforce, which basically transfers into accountable public schools,' Perry continued. 'Those are the four things I said, then get out of the way.'
'Now thinking Gavin wasn't listening too good,' Perry said to laughs.
The former Texas governor said he was just kidding.
'No you're not,' Zito shot back.
'But my point is, Gov. Shapiro understands that,' Perry said.
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