Who is Josh Shapiro? A look at the 48th Pennsylvania governor seeking reelection
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is seeking reelection alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis for the Nov. 3, 2026, midterms.
Video above: Shapiro meets with voters in Berks, Lebanon and Union counties
Here’s what we know about the 48th Pennsylvania governor.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Gov. Josh Shapiro
Personal life and education
Shapiro was born June 20, 1973, and raised in Montgomery County. He studied political science at the University of Rochester before earning his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University.
Shapiro is married to his high school sweetheart, Lori, who serves as Pennsylvania’s first lady. They have four children together.
Caean Couto
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania with his family during the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Shapiro’s commitment to public service was influenced by his parents: His father was a pediatrician who served in the U.S. Navy, and his mother was an educator.
Political career
Shapiro was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004 and represented the 153rd District before joining the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. He served as a county commissioner from 2012 to 2017, including as board chairman, according to the state.
Shapiro was elected Pennsylvania attorney general in 2016 and reelected in 2020. During his tenure, his office released the findings of a statewide grand jury investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and efforts by church officials to conceal it.
Shapiro also helped negotiate approximately $1 billion for Pennsylvania through a national opioid settlement and secured an agreement between two major insurers that protected health care access for about 2 million people. According to the Commonwealth, Shapiro’s office also defended voting and reproductive rights in court.
Elected as governor
Shapiro announced his campaign for governor in 2021. He was unopposed in the 2022 Democratic primary and defeated Republican nominee Doug Mastriano in the general election.
Shapiro was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor on Jan. 17, 2023.
MATTHEW HATCHER
Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a Primary Election night event at The Fuge on May 19, 2026 in Warminster.
Record as governor
On his first day as governor, Shapiro signed an executive order removing four-year college degree requirements from approximately 92% of state government jobs, according to his administration. The change was intended to place greater emphasis on applicants’ skills and work experience.
The first bill Shapiro signed into law required insurers to cover certain preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for people at high risk without out-of-pocket costs, according to the governor’s office.
Shapiro’s administration says it has increased funding for public education, expanded free school breakfast programs and provided additional mental health resources for students. The administration also reports hiring hundreds of Pennsylvania State Police troopers and investing in workforce development, apprenticeships and job creation.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago in 2024.
According to the Commonwealth, Shapiro implemented automatic voter registration at certain state agencies and created CODE PA, an in-house digital services team tasked with improving online tools for government employees and the public.
After a section of Interstate 95 collapsed in Philadelphia in June 2023, Shapiro’s administration coordinated the response that reopened the highway to traffic in 12 days. State officials had initially warned that repairs could take months.
Shapiro also signed bipartisan probation-reform legislation intended to help people reenter their communities and reduce unnecessary barriers within the criminal justice system, according to the governor’s office.
Seeking reelection for governor
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his campaign for reelection alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on Jan. 8, holding rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
“Y’all ready to run this back?” Shapiro asked the crowd.
Matthew Hatcher
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to suppporters at a rally announcing his reelection bid at the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center on January 8, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shapiro highlighted his administration’s efforts to secure bipartisan agreements, create union jobs and increase education funding, saying his first term brought progress but that he wants to do more for Pennsylvania residents.
“I’m running for reelection to keep moving our Commonwealth forward – and to keep getting stuff done for all Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said.
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