Where We Keep the Light
| Author | Josh Shapiro |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
Publication date | January 27, 2026 |
| ISBN | 978-0-063-46390-5 |
Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service is a memoir by Josh Shapiro, the 44th Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023.[1][2] The book was published on January 27, 2026, by HarperCollins.[3][4][5]
Background
Shapiro is a potential Democratic presidential candidate in the 2028 election.[6][7]
Content
Excerpts of the memoir were released prior to its publication.[8]
Early life
Sections of the memoir focus on Shapiro's childhood, which he characterized as a "unhappy childhood home".[9]
2024 vice presidential consideration
Shapiro recounted his experience under consideration for Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election.[6]
Shapiro characterized his vetting process as unnecessarily contentious', including reportedly being asked by former White House Counsel Dana Remus if he had ever been an agent of the Israeli government.[6][10] "Had I been a double agent for Israel? Was she kidding? I told her how offensive the question was," Shapiro wrote.[11] Remus also reportedly asked Shapiro "Have you ever communicated with an undercover agent of Israel?".[6]
Shapiro wrote that the line of questioning "said a lot about some of the people around the VP."[6] "It nagged at me that their questions weren’t really about substance," Shapiro wrote.[11] "Rather, they were questioning my ideology, my approach, my world view."[11]
Shapiro had previously volunteered on an Israeli army base in high school. At the start of his career, he volunteered at the Israeli Embassy's public affairs division.[12]
Reception
Aaron Keyak, Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism under Joe Biden, described the double agent question as "horrifying", adding that "It is a blatantly antisemitic question."[13]
CNN on January 19, 2026, reported that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was chosen as Harris's running mate, was also asked by her vetting team if he had been an agent of the Chinese government. The question was prompted by a review of Walz's prior travel to China. CNN wrote that sources close to the vetting process noted "The crux of vetting is asking uncomfortable and even farfetched questions, especially ones that could be raised by your opponents. ‘Have you ever had an affair?’ ‘Have you ever embezzled state funds?’ ‘Have you ever been an agent for another country?’ The point isn't that you believe any of it to be true."[14]
References
- ^ "Gov. Shapiro, a top 2028 contender, recounts chat with Trump, beef with Harris in new book". The Washington Post. 2026-01-19. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "Gov. Josh Shapiro alleges in memoir that Kamala Harris' team asked him if he had ever been an Israeli agent". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Avilucea, Isaac (2025-10-21). "Josh Shapiro political memoir incoming". Axios. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Writer, HILLEL ITALIE, AP National (2025-10-21). "Gov. Josh Shapiro's memoir is coming out in January". WTAE. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Gov. Josh Shapiro's new memoir to offer insights on his rise to political stardom". PhillyVoice. 2025-10-21. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ a b c d e Glueck, Katie (18 January 2026). "Josh Shapiro Writes That Harris Team Asked if He Had Ever Been an Israeli Agent". The New York Times.
- ^ Bernard, Katie (2025-12-22). "Gov. Josh Shapiro schedules a book tour as he stands for reelection, and builds his 2028 profile". Inquirer.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ McGoldrick, Gillian (2026-01-19). "In his new book, Gov. Josh Shapiro recalls an 'offensive' vetting process to be Kamala Harris' running mate". Inquirer.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Otterbein, Holly (2026-01-20). "First look: Josh Shapiro opens up about "unhappy childhood home" in new book". Axios. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Gov. Shapiro found Harris team's focus on Israel during 2024 vetting 'offensive'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ a b c Olorunnipa, Toluse (2026-01-19). "Josh Shapiro Settles Some Scores". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (2026-01-19). "Shapiro says Harris' vetting team asked whether he was 'an agent of the Israeli government' | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "Ex-US antisemitism envoy condemns Shapiro vetting question". The Jerusalem Post. 2026-01-19. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (2026-01-19). "Walz was also asked about foreign ties during Harris vetting, sources tell CNN | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2026-01-19.