Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is running for a second term as Pennsylvania's governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Radnor and Haverford voters will see the governor's race on their Nov. 3 ballots. Shapiro faces three challengers: Stacy L. Garrity (Republican), Kenneth Krawchuk (Libertarian) and Tony Dastra (Green), according to BallotReady election data. Shapiro is certified for the ballot.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Born: June 20, 1973, in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Hometown: 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)
  • Family: Married Lori (Ferrara) Shapiro, his high school sweetheart, 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

  • State representative, Pennsylvania House District 153 (2004–2011)
  • Commissioner, Montgomery County (2012–2017)
  • Attorney general, state of Pennsylvania (2017–2023)
  • Governor, state of Pennsylvania (2023–present)

Shapiro also worked as a senior foreign policy advisor in the office of U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, a New Jersey Democrat, and as an attorney at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP, according to Spotlight PA.

On the issues

Public education funding: Shapiro has directed billions of additional dollars toward public schools and backed an adequacy formula aimed at underfunded districts, according to WHYY. State support for public education has increased by more than $3 billion since he took office, WHYY reported.

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, and 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 and has evolved to oppose the death penalty, according to Spotlight PA. He has argued against Pennsylvania's sentencing requirement of life in prison without parole for felony murder convictions.

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.

Endorsements

The following organizations have endorsed Shapiro, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • AFL-CIO
  • AFT Pennsylvania
  • Allegheny County Democratic Committee
  • Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council
  • Blair-Bedford Central Labor Council
  • Chester County Democratic Commitee
  • Five County United Labor Council
  • Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council
  • Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council
  • Jewish Democratic Council of America
  • Johnstown Regional Central Labor Council
  • Kennedy Democrats PA
  • Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club
  • Montgomery County Democratic Committee
  • PA Conference of Teamsters
  • Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals
  • Pennsylvania - Bucks County Democrats
  • Pennsylvania - York County Democrats
  • People for the American Way's Next Up Victory Fund
  • Philadelphia 2nd Ward Democrats
  • Philadelphia 8th Ward Democrats
  • Philadelphia Ward 39A Democrats
  • Seven Mountains Central Labor Council
  • Steel City Stonewall Democrats
  • University of Pennsylvania Democrats