Scoop: Josh Shapiro quietly tries to derail AOC-backed progressive House candidate

"Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Chris Rabb, a progressive firebrand state lawmaker from Philadelphia who's running for a U.S. House seat in a competitive, three-way Democratic primary. Ocasio-Cortez is rumored to be visiting Philadelphia this month to campaign for Rabb. She has also fundraised for Rabb and posted on social media in support of him."

"Shapiro has not been publicly active in the race, as AOC has. But Shapiro and his team have privately told allies that he disapproves of Rabb and has taken steps to block his path, according to three people familiar with the discussions. Rabb has been a thorn in Shapiro's side for years."

"In January, he wrote on Instagram, "Governor Shapiro, stop state collaboration with ICE!" Rabb spoke at a protest that day aimed at pushing Shapiro, a moderate, to the left on his approach toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rally was staged outside Shapiro's first stop on his book tour. That level of confrontation is rarely seen from Democratic state legislators toward the governor."

"Behind the scenes: Shapiro has privately advised Philadelphia's building trades unions to avoid inadvertently helping Rabb, the lone progressive in the race, by attacking one of his center-left opponents, two of our sources told us. The sources said Shapiro suggested that the building trades, which are backing another candidate, Sharif Street, avoid running negative ads against a third contender, Ala Stanford. Street and Stanford are seen as traditional Democrats who share similar voters."

A progressive state lawmaker, Chris Rabb, is running in a competitive three-way Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Rabb, reportedly plans to campaign in Philadelphia, fundraised for him, and posted supportive messages. Josh Shapiro has not been publicly active, but privately he and his team have disapproved of Rabb and taken steps to hinder his progress. Rabb has confronted Shapiro on immigration and customs enforcement, including urging Shapiro to stop state collaboration with ICE and speaking at a protest outside Shapiro’s book tour stop. Shapiro has privately advised Philadelphia building trades unions to avoid actions that could help Rabb, including steering away from negative ads that might benefit the lone progressive candidate.

Read at Axios