Jan 8, 2026 By Brad Hundt 3 min read

In a widely expected move, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that he and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will be seeking another term this year.

Shapiro and Davis, both Democrats, launched their re-election campaign at two events on two ends of the commonwealth – in the afternoon at the Carpenters Union Local 432 in Allegheny County, and in the evening in Philadelphia.

In an announcement video that was released Thursday morning, Shapiro said that he and Davis have “gotten (expletive) done all across our commonwealth to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

He added in the speech hours later at the union hall, “I’m going to be a governor for all Pennsylvanians.”

He added, “I will never let anyone mess with Pennsylvanians and I will always have your back. … I am someone who has never backed down from a fight.”

The governor starts his re-election campaign in a strong position. A Quinnipiac University poll in the fall had Shapiro with a 58% approval rating, which is close to the 56% percent of the vote he won in his 2022 election campaign against Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano. This year, his Republican opponent is expected to be state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.

Shapiro, Davis and a procession of elected officials and leaders of labor and social service organizations highlighted what they say have been the accomplishments of the Shapiro administration since he took office in January 2023, including additional money put toward education and public safety, more private sector investment, reforms in permitting and an economy that is growing in comparison to its Northeastern neighbors.

“We’ve accomplished a lot, but the work is far from over,” said Davis, a native of McKeesport and a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Shapiro’s standing in Pennsylvania aside, many political experts believe a solid win this year in the commonwealth would put him near the front of the pack should he join what is expected to be a crowded field of candidates seeking the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. One of the other expected candidates, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, chairs the Democratic Governors Association. In a statement released Thursday, Beshear called Shapiro “a good friend” and called his decision to seek re-election “great news for the people of Pennsylvania.”

Beshear also said Garrity “is fighting for a dangerous agenda that would hurt Pennsylvanians,” which he said included cuts to health care, tariffs and “attacking our freedom and our democracy.”

However, the Republican Governors Association countered in its own statement that Pennsylvania is among the worst states for employment, supports amnesty for undocumented immigrants and “supports allowing biological men to play in girls’ school sports.”

“Shapiro has been more focused on his political ambitions while Pennsylvania’s economy, fiscal stability and business climate are among the worst in the country,” according to Courtney Alexander, communications director for the Republicans Governors Association.

Shapiro struck some notes in the speech that could be deployed in a presidential campaign in a year or two. He said that we must “refuse the whitewashing of our history and the scapegoating of others.”

He added, “I’m honored to be the governor of all Pennsylvanians, and no American is my enemy.”