Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is running for a second term as Pennsylvania's governor in the 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. Bucks County voters will choose among four candidates for governor.

Candidate information

  • Name: Josh Shapiro
  • 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 in 1997. They have four children, three sons and a daughter.
  • 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.

Shapiro is the author of the memoir "Where We Keep The Light," released in 2026, according to his campaign's social media account.

Experience and public service

Shapiro has held four elected offices, according to BallotReady profile data and Spotlight PA:

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

Before entering elected office, Shapiro worked as an attorney at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP and served as a senior foreign policy advisor in the office of U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, a New Jersey Democrat, 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 would tighten some environmental standards, according to WHYY. He has proposed a state-level cap-and-trade program that would require legislative approval.

Criminal justice: Shapiro has continued the moratorium on executions put in place by his predecessor, according to Spotlight PA. 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.

State government hiring: Shapiro signed an executive order in 2023 removing the four-year college degree requirement for approximately 90 percent of state government jobs, according to Spotlight PA. He signed it within hours of taking office.

Endorsements

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

  • AFL-CIO
  • AFT Pennsylvania
  • PA Conference of Teamsters
  • Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals
  • Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council
  • Allegheny County Democratic Committee
  • 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
  • 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

Voters can find polling place information through the Pennsylvania Department of State.