2026 gubernatorial election priorities
Pennsylvania voters in 2026 will choose between incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. The race involves contrasting records on education funding, economic development, budget deals with a divided legislature, regulation (including data centers), and national political alignment, with Shapiro also discussed as a potential 2028 presidential contender.
Which direction should Pennsylvania voters set for the governor's office in 2026?
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Sources
State College, PA election guide — https://www.statecollege.com/articles/elections/pa-election-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-candidates-for-governor
Voters will decide whether Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro should spend another four years as the state’s chief executive or grant his Republican competitor, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a turn at overseeing a vast state bureaucracy that implements programs and policies ranging from elections to environmental policy.
Spotlight PA / PHL17 — https://phl17.com/spotlight-pa/pa-election-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-candidates-for-governor
Shapiro has also turned his opposition to Trump — and Garrity’s alignment with the president on certain issues — into a campaign platform. The Democratic governor’s campaign has also tried to portray Garrity as a proponent of little to no regulation for data centers
Lehigh Valley Public Media — https://www.lehighvalleypublicmedia.org/news/allentown/pa-passes-50-8-billion-budget-but-key-questions-remain
Policy goals around marijuana, minimum wage, public transit and energy weren't addressed in the 2026-27 budget, making the November elections more consequential
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Reelect Shapiro to continue expanded education funding, progressive priorities, and resistance to Trump-aligned policies
- Support Shapiro's bipartisan deal-making and moderate investments while watching national ambitions
- Remain undecided and judge candidates strictly on state budget results and local economic outcomes
- Back Garrity for tighter fiscal control, less regulation, and closer alignment with Republican national priorities
- Replace Shapiro with a strongly conservative governor focused on cutting spending, taxes, and state bureaucracy