PA Gov. Shapiro Makes Major Campaign Announcement

PENNSYLVANIA — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday announced his reelection bid, launching a campaign that some political observers have contended could be a prelude to a presidential run in 2028.

He planned to hold rallies today in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to formally announce his intentions. But via a YouTube video released Thursday, Shapiro asserted that he's "gotten (stuff) done in this first term and will continue to do so in his second.

In the video, he noted that during his first term, college degree requirements have been removed for state government jobs, universal free breakfasts were made available and funding has been provided for thousands of more law enforcement office. He also discussed protecting abortion rights and cutting taxes.

“Even with a divided state legislature — together — we’ve gotten a whole lot done on issues that have been stuck for decades,” Shapiro said. “But there’s always more to do — more people to help, more Pennsylvanians to protect, more bridges to build.”

Shapiro, 52, has never lost a political race and has served as a Montgomery County commission, Pennsylvania attorney general and then governor. He won the state's highest elected office in 2022 in a landslide 15-point victory over ultraconservative Republican Doug Mastriano.

Pennsylvania-based Democratic strategist J.J. Abbott told Politico that if Shapiro can run up the score again in a “big, important swing state” it would be a “strong credential” for the governor should he run in 2028.

Shapiro has increased his national presence during his first term, campaigning for Democratic candidates in other states. He also spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a finalist to be Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

Shapiro had no significant primary challenger in 2022 and likely will not have one again this year.

That puts him in line to battle state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is the only Republican candidate running at the moment. A fall Quinnipiac University poll showed Shapiro leading Garrity by 15 points.

Shapiro's campaign said on Tuesday that he had raised more than $10 million between October and December 2025, hauling in more than $23 million in the last year altogether. All together, he has more than $30 million in his campaign war chest.

It's unclear how much money Garrity has on hand. Campaign finance reports are not due until Jan. 31.