Democrat Josh Shapiro won a second term as Pennsylvania governor, defeating Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity in the Nov. 3 election. The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Shapiro.
DDHQ’s Nov. 4, 3:45 p.m. EST statewide tally showed Shapiro with 3,006,250 votes (60.39%), Garrity with 1,907,385 (38.32%) and Libertarian Kenneth Krawchuk with 64,450 (1.29%), with an estimated 85% counted. DDHQ called the race Nov. 3 at 8:17 p.m. The totals remain unofficial and subject to certification.
Shapiro took office in January 2023 after serving as Pennsylvania attorney general from 2017 to 2023. His earlier career included the Pennsylvania House and Montgomery County’s Board of Commissioners, giving the statewide race a local connection for Lower Merion voters. His official biography describes investments in schools, economic development and public safety among his administration’s priorities.
Garrity, from Bradford County, was elected treasurer in 2020 and reelected in 2024. A retired Army Reserve colonel, she worked as an accountant and later a vice president at Global Tungsten & Powders in Towanda. As treasurer, she oversees state assets and programs including college savings and the return of unclaimed property, according to her official biography.
Shapiro ran with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, while Garrity’s running mate was attorney Jason Richey. Krawchuk, an Abington-based IT consultant, ran with John Thomas. The governor and lieutenant governor appeared together on the general-election ballot.
The campaign presented different approaches to energy and state policy. Spotlight PA’s candidate guide reported that Shapiro favored a mix of renewable energy, oil and gas, while Garrity sought a substantial expansion of natural gas production. Shapiro supported legalizing recreational marijuana; Garrity opposed it. Krawchuk advocated eliminating the state personal income tax and school property taxes.
The election determines who will lead the state’s executive branch for the next four years. The governor proposes budgets, signs or vetoes legislation and oversees state agencies, making the office central to school funding, transportation, health programs and other services affecting Lower Merion residents.
Sources: Associated Press; DDHQ governor results; Shapiro biography; Garrity biography; Spotlight PA candidate guide.
