Shapiro seeks second term as Pennsylvania governor

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who grew up in Upper Dublin Township, is running for a second term as Pennsylvania governor in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

He faces Republican Stacy L. Garrity, Libertarian Kenneth Krawchuk and Green Party candidate Tony Dastra. Shapiro is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Shapiro has held the office since 2023. For Montgomery County voters, the race carries a local dimension: Shapiro is a former Montgomery County commissioner.

Candidate information

Name: Josh Shapiro
Party: Democratic
Date of birth: June 20, 1973, in Kansas City, Missouri
Residence: Grew up in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, according to Britannica
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science, University of Rochester (1995); juris doctor, Georgetown University (2002), according to BallotReady
Family: Married Lori (Ferrara) Shapiro in 1997. They have four children, according to Britannica.
Faith: Shapiro is an observant Conservative Jew. He has said his faith played prominently into his decision to enter public service, according to Spotlight PA.

Experience and public service

Shapiro's career spans both the private and public sectors, according to Spotlight PA and BallotReady:

Senior foreign policy advisor to U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, a New Jersey Democrat
Attorney at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP
State representative, District 153, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2004–2011)
Commissioner, Montgomery County (2012–2017)
Attorney general, state of Pennsylvania (2017–2023)
Governor, state of Pennsylvania (2023–present)

Shapiro also authored a memoir, "Where We Keep The Light," released in 2026, according to his campaign's X account.

On the issues

Public education funding: State support for public education has increased by more than $3 billion since Shapiro took office. He has backed an adequacy formula aimed at underfunded districts, according to WHYY.

Minimum wage: Shapiro has proposed raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour, backing the increase in all four of his budget addresses, according to Spotlight PA.

Energy policy: Shapiro supports what he calls an "all of the above" energy approach that includes natural gas, nuclear power and renewables. He has proposed a state-level cap-and-trade program that would require legislative approval, according to WHYY.

Criminal justice: Shapiro has continued the moratorium on executions put in place by his predecessor. He has evolved to oppose the death penalty and has argued against Pennsylvania's sentencing requirement of life in prison without parole for felony murder convictions, according to Spotlight PA.

State government hiring: Within hours of being sworn in as governor in 2023, Shapiro signed an executive order removing the four-year college degree requirement for approximately 90 percent of state government jobs, according to Spotlight PA.