Shapiro launches reelection campaign for governor
It’s official.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro launched his campaign for reelection on Thursday morning in a video touting his first-term accomplishments.
“We’ve gotten sh*t done all across our Commonwealth to make a real difference in people’s lives. As your governor, I’ve stopped the federal government from coming between you and your doctor. I’ve stood up for parents who should make health care decisions for their kids, not politicians. I’ve shut them down when they try and throw out our votes and overturn fair elections,” said Shapiro. “Even with a divided state legislature — together — we’ve gotten a whole lot done on issues that have been stuck for decades. But there’s always more to do — more people to help, more Pennsylvanians to protect, more bridges to build. We’re moving our Commonwealth forward. So join me, and let’s keep getting stuff done.”
Shapiro will run again with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.
“This past year was marked by reckless decisions, crisis after crisis, and fear and dysfunction used as a political weapon,” says Davis. “But here in Pennsylvania, we’ve chosen a different path. We’ve put progress over partisanship, compassion over division, and solutions that work above all else. We’ve shown leadership that expands opportunity instead of restricts it. Leadership that fights with hope, not fear. I’m proud to stand beside Governor Shapiro as we announce our reelection campaigns. This is a leadership team that gets stuff done.”
Shapiro defeated state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams/Franklin) by 800,000 votes in 2022. Mastriano announced on Wednesday that he would not be entering the race for the GOP nomination in 2026, essentially clearing the field for State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who has already received the endorsement of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania for the nomination.
“Stacy Garrity is a far-right, toxic candidate who is running to bring Trump’s chaotic Washington agenda here to Pennsylvania,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair Eugene DePasquale. “She supported cutting health care to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, opposed tax cuts for working families here in Pennsylvania, and attacked our fundamental freedoms. It’s clear that Republicans are going to be stuck yet again with an extreme candidate running on a toxic agenda in 2026.”
The 2026 race will determine whether Shapiro can back up his argument for being the Democratic Party’s best representative for President in 2028 – winning the governor’s race in the country’s most important swing state. Whether he can provide coattails for U.S. House challengers such as Bob Brooks in PA-07, Paige Cognetti in PA-08, and Janelle Stelson in PA-10 to help flip the chamber’s majority could also bolster his claim.
“Politically, Josh’s victory is very key to what’s going to happen from a policy standpoint in the commonwealth and in the nation,” Philadelphia-based public affairs executive Larry Ceisler said.
Shapiro, 52, has never lost a political race and his favorability ratings in the state remain unusually high — a reason he was on the short list to be Kamala Harris’ running mate in 2024.
An ally of President Donald Trump, Garrity has positioned herself as a champion of the people during her five years in office. She touts the Treasury’s success in returning hundreds of millions of dollars worth of unclaimed property held by the state to its rightful owners and expanding access to educational savings programs.
Garrity’s campaign plans to make the case that while Shapiro has broad approval, it’s based on a carefully crafted public image. Voters will change their minds when they see beneath the surface, Republican strategists said.
“It’s a mile wide and an inch deep,” Garrity campaign spokesman Matt Benyon told the Capital-Star. “There’s very little intensity to it. It provides us an opportunity to tell the other side of the story.”
Republican Party of Pennsylvania spokesman James Markley said the GOP will attack Shapiro over what it says is a lack of transparency surrounding the resignation of Secretary of Legislative Affairs Mike Vereb amid a sexual harassment scandal that resulted in a $295,000 settlement with Vereb’s accuser.
“If he doesn’t have anything to hide, then why is he fighting so hard to block all of this information from being released to the public?” Markley said.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA where this article originally appeared.
