AP photo Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

It appears that state Gov. Josh Shapiro is making all the right moves. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Shapiro’s favorability ratings in late September — at 59% — are higher than Kamala Harris at 46% and Donald Trump at 45%.

Before Harris’s selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in early August, many tied to the political process believed Shapiro would be getting the call as running mate due to his particular appeal to moderate voters. Though he supports a private school voucher program, natural gas infrastructure and Israel’s war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, not everyone on the left is comfortable with those stances.

“I am going to continue pouring my heart and soul into continuing to serve you every single day as your governor,” Shapiro said in Philadelphia days after the Walz selection

Just the same, Shapiro is leading this important swing state in the presidential election, bringing a benefit to the Harris-Walz ticket. In any case, Shapiro’s star shines greater than the governor who reigns in the Empire State.

There Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, is finding the going rough. In June, the governor had her lowest favorability rating and job approval rating, which hovered between 38% and 50%.

“When it comes to various Hochul characteristics, the partisan divide remains between Democrats on one side and Republicans joined by independents on the other side,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said. “Democrats say Hochul cares about people like them, works hard, is a decisive leader, and honest. Republicans and independents don’t agree.”

Hochul’s polling numbers could be an indication of familiarity breeding contempt. While serving as the second-in-command to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, she was seen as an excellent ambassador.

Unlike her previous boss, in the role of lieutenant governor she was able to forge partnerships and communicate on a productive one-on-one level. Cuomo, especially during the daily COVID-19 news conferences, became too much of a dictator — practically making sure everyone was hearing his voice and quieting any dissension.

His resignation after sexual-abuse allegations was expected to bring a more cohesive New York, especially on the upstate front where Hochul had roots. To be fair, as the Siena poll noted, she seems to have lost touch with her hometown region.

Her allegiance seems downstate for obvious reasons. Democrats have a stranglehold on the Big Apple — 8 million of the state’s 19 million population. If Hochul can win it there, the better the odds of her ruling the roost in Albany.

That is exactly how she won election almost two years ago when she was being challenged by Lee Zeldin. Even in her home of Erie County, Hochul was victorious but only by a 52% to 48% margin.

That’s far from a ringing endorsement and speaks to her current troubles with most of the state north of the nation’s largest city.

But New York is traditionally blue. Harris-Walz have already banked on winning that state so Hochul’s struggles won’t affect the outcome.

It’s not the same in Pennsylvania.

If the presidential race comes down to the Electoral College — like it has in so many previous recent contests — Shapiro looms large. Maybe the Democrats as a whole understood that angle.

That’s why Shapiro, who was shunned as candidate for vice president, has become so valuable. His prominence in the Keystone State is undeniable at this point.

Keeping him at the helm in Harrisburg may be just what the Democrats need to get Harris over the hump in this historic campaign.

John D’Agostino is editor of the Times Observer, The Post-Journal and OBSERVER in Dunkirk, N.Y. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.