\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA new Quinnipiac University poll shows Pennsylvania voters are increasingly pessimistic about their personal finances and the economy, while Gov. Josh Shapiro leads Republican Stacy Garrity in the 2026 governor’s race. Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today. The poll surveyed 895 self-identified registered voters in Pennsylvania from July 9 to 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. Voters say they are worse off financially The poll found 44% of registered voters say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, while 36% say they are better off and 19% say they are about the same. That marks a shift from Quinnipiac’s Feb. 25 survey, when 36% said they were worse off and 40% said they were better off. “Many Pennsylvania voters are looking at their finances, flashing back to July of last year and seeing slippage,” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said. Economic concerns Voters also expressed growing concern about the national economy. According to the poll: 52% say the nation\u2019s economy is getting worse 21% say it is getting better 26% say it is staying about the same By comparison, Quinnipiac\u2019s February poll found 47% said the economy was getting worse and 28% said it was getting better. The survey showed sharp partisan divides on the economy: Republicans: 43% say the economy is getting better, 17% worse Independents: 55% say it is getting worse, 16% better Democrats: 87% say it is getting worse, 1% better Shapiro leads Garrity in governor’s race Despite economic concerns, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro continues to hold a sizable lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity. The poll found: Josh Shapiro: 53% Stacy Garrity: 40% That margin is slightly narrower than in February, when Shapiro led Garrity 55% to 37%. Shapiro\u2019s job approval also remains positive, with 56% approving of the way he is handling his job and 34% disapproving. Top voter concerns When asked which issues matter most in deciding their vote for governor, voters ranked the economy and cost of living at the top. Top issues included: Economy: 74% Cost of living: 73% Healthcare: 66% Ethics in government: 57% Immigration: 57% Crime: 53% Right to vote: 53% Energy costs: 51% Gun violence: 50% AI data centers: 42% Climate change: 40% Senators’ approval ratingsThe poll also found mixed views of Pennsylvania\u2019s U.S. senators: John Fetterman’s job approval: 48% approve, 41% disapprove Dave McCormick’s job approval: 40% approve, 33% disapproveFetterman\u2019s numbers showed an unusual partisan split, with Republicans largely approving of his performance while Democrats largely disapprove. A majority of voters, 52%, said they would like to see Fetterman leave the Democratic Party, compared with 31% who said they want him to stay. \u201cThe Democrats would like to show him the door. The Republicans seem to be welcoming him in. Thus is the political irony of Senator John Fetterman,\u201d Malloy said. Trump’s approvalThe poll found that many Pennsylvania voters disapprove of President Donald Trump\u2019s job performance. The survey found: 39% approve of Trump\u2019s job performance 58% disapprove On Trump\u2019s handling of the economy, the numbers were the same: 39% approve and 58% disapprove. Democrats hold edge in midterm preference When asked which party they would prefer to control the U.S. House of Representatives if the election were held today: 49% said Democrats 43% said Republicans That result was unchanged from Quinnipiac\u2019s February poll. Opposition grows to AI data centers The poll also found broad and growing opposition to AI data centers in local communities. According to the survey: 76% are following news about AI data centers at least somewhat closely 74% would oppose building one in their community 16% would support itThat opposition has increased since February, when 68% said they would oppose an AI data center in their community. “Nothing artificial about Pennsylvania voters’ take on the advent of AI. Opposition grows as the inevitable new industry plants roots in their neighborhoods,” Malloy said. On Shapiro\u2019s handling of AI data centers: 24% approve 34% disapprove 42% offered no opinion\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n