With President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the election, speculation has intensified about who will join Kamala Harris as her running mate. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emerges as a prominent candidate for the position.
However, Harris’s stance on fracking may complicate the ticket's appeal, especially in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Fox News reported.
Pennsylvania has significantly relied on fracking for economic stability over the past two decades. In 2003, former Governor Ed Rendell implemented a financial recovery plan that included aggressive fracking agreements.
The 2008 contract allowed access to 2.2 million acres of state forests, generating over $1 billion in revenue for the state and $800 million for the Game Commission.
Rendell later admitted that his rush to harness fracking revenue led to inadequate environmental regulations.
"I made a mistake in the rush to get the economic part of fracking delivered to Pennsylvania," Rendell acknowledged in 2016.
"We didn't regulate well construction and frack water as well as we should. We cured that in 2010 and we haven't had any significant incidents since."
Kamala Harris's position on fracking, articulated during a 2018 CNN town hall, remains a contentious issue.
Harris stated, "There's no question I'm in favor of banning fracking. And starting with what we can do on day one around public lands...we have to just acknowledge that the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the health and safety of communities."
As Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground state, Harris’s anti-fracking stance could pose challenges.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has already targeted Harris’s fracking stance. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella criticized Harris, stating, "Kamala Harris is the most far-left progressive presidential nominee in history, and extreme Democrats in the Rust Belt now own every single policy she supports. A fracking ban would be disastrous for workers and families."
Critics, including state and federal officials, have voiced concerns over Harris's fracking position. As Trump’s campaign aims to focus on policy issues rather than personal attacks, it is essential for him to stay on message.
This strategy could play a significant role in shaping the election dynamics, particularly if Harris and Shapiro attempt to sway Pennsylvania voters amid ongoing debates over fracking.
The outcome of this electoral battle will hinge on how effectively Harris and her campaign address these concerns and navigate the complex issues surrounding fracking.
