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Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has claimed that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was “overlooked” as Vice President Harris’s running mate because he is Jewish.

What’s the deal: In an interview with the Hill, Speaker Johnson said, “I think that clearly was a major factor, is that she was reluctant to put a vice presidential nominee on the ticket with Jewish heritage because they’re having a split in the Democratic Party. They have a pro-Palestinian, in some cases pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party. Sadly for Josh Shapiro, because of his heritage, I think that is the reason he was overlooked.”

More on Shapiro: Governor Josh Shapiro has consistently supported Israel throughout his political career. He has been a vocal advocate for Israel’s right to defend itself, particularly during the Israel-Hamas conflict, backing measures that align with this position. Despite his support for Israel, Shapiro has not hesitated to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at one point calling him “one of the worst leaders of all time.”

Polling Issue for Democrats: As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Democratic Party is experiencing a significant loss of support from Muslim and Arab American voters. This decline stems primarily from dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to some polls, many Muslim voters are considering abstaining from voting or choosing third-party candidates as a result. This shift could have a substantial impact on crucial swing states like Michigan.