Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who grew up in Montgomery County, is running for reelection as Pennsylvania governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Stacy L. Garrity, Libertarian Kenneth Krawchuk and Green Party candidate Tony Dastra.

Shapiro has been certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. He has held the governor's office since 2023.

Candidate information

  • Name: Josh Shapiro
  • Party: Democratic
  • Born: June 20, 1973, in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Hometown: 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. According to Spotlight PA, his faith has played prominently into his decision to enter public service.
  • Book: Shapiro said he released a memoir, "Where We Keep The Light," in 2026.

Experience and public service

Shapiro served as a state representative for District 153 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2004 to 2011, according to BallotReady. He then served as a Montgomery County commissioner from 2012 to 2017.

He was elected Pennsylvania attorney general and served from 2017 to 2023, according to BallotReady. Before entering elected office, Shapiro worked as a senior foreign policy advisor in the office of U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey 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, according to WHYY. He has proposed a state-level cap-and-trade program that would require legislative approval.

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.

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

Endorsements

The following organizations have endorsed Shapiro, according to BallotReady:

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

Editor's note: The Lower Merion Times sent Shapiro a candidate questionnaire. He did not respond. This profile is based on public records and published reporting.