Shapiro starts reelection campaign with $30M in the bank
In racing, it’s called “holding the pole position.”
Starting a race in the most advantageous spot, typically at the very front of the starting grid, earned by the fastest qualifier, giving a significant advantage due to the shortest distance and clear track ahead, a term originating from horse racing where the inside rail was marked by a pole.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro certainly has that advantage.
Shapiro announced on Tuesday that his ‘Shapiro For Pennsylvania’ political action committee ended 2025 with over $30 million in cash on hand.
The massive fundraising number includes more than $10 million during the final quarter of 2025 from gifts from all 67 counties in the Commonwealth and all 50 states.
His campaign said in a statement that “With this level of support, Shapiro for Pennsylvania is reporting the most money raised and the highest ending cash balance during the off-year ahead of an election of any Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign on record.”
According to Spotlight PA, the more than $30 million in Shapiro’s PAC is roughly three times more than either Tom Wolf or Ed Rendell had entering their reelection campaigns.
The governor, who has held strong favorability ratings throughout his term, is expected to formally announce his reelection campaign at separate events on Thursday in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who announced her campaign in August for the Republican nomination to challenge Shapiro, has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, as well as Attorney General Dave Sunday and Auditor General Tim DeFoor. State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who was defeated by Shapiro in the 2022 campaign, has hinted that he may run again but has yet to make clear his future plans.
Shapiro is hoping that a 2026 victory can propel his presidential chances in 2028 and he is throwing his significant weight behind Pennsylvania congressional candidates Bob Brooks (D-07), Paige Cognetti (D-08) and Janelle Stelson (D-10) to assist Democrats in their effort to win back the U.S. House.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA where this article originally appeared.
