2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro Democratic

The 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Pennsylvania. Primary elections will be held on May 19, 2026. ^[1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro announced in January 2026 that he would run for reelection to a second term. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.

Background

Pennsylvania is a purple state located in the Northeastern United States. A part of the Rust Belt, it was narrowly won by Republican Donald Trump in his non-consecutive second victory in 2024 after similarly narrow victories by Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump's first election in 2016.^{[ citation needed ]}

The state has a Democratic and Republican senator, making it one of only three states to have a split Senate delegation ^[a] , while Republicans hold a majority in the state's House delegation, with ten seats to the Democrats' seven. ^[2]

Democrats also control the Pennsylvania House of Representatives while Republicans control the Pennsylvania Senate. ^[3]

Incumbent Democratic governor Josh Shapiro was first elected with 56.5% of the vote in 2022, succeeding term-limited Democrat Tom Wolf.^{[ citation needed ]}

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

Declared

• Josh Shapiro, incumbent governor (2023–present) ^[4]

Declined

• Bob Casey Jr., former U.S. Senator (2007–2025) and son of former governor Bob Casey Sr. ^[5]

Endorsements

Josh Shapiro

Organizations

• Jewish Democratic Council of America ^[6]

Lieutenant governor

Declared

• Austin Davis, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) ^[7]

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

Declared

• Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania State Treasurer (2021–present) and candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district in 2019 ^[8]

Withdrawn

• John Ventre, former Pennsylvania director for the Mutual UFO Network and perennial candidate (running for lieutenant governor) ^[9]

Declined

• Scott Martin, state senator from SD-13 (2017–present) and candidate for governor in 2022 ^[10] (endorsed Garrity) ^[11]
• Doug Mastriano, state senator from SD-33 (2019–present) and nominee for governor in 2022 ^[12]
• Dan Meuser, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Garrity) ^{[13] [14]}
• Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General (2025–present) ^[15] (endorsed Garrity) ^[16]
• Glenn Thompson, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district (2009–present) ^[17] (endorsed Garrity) ^[18]
• Mike Turzai, former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2015–2020) from the 28th district (2001–2020) ^[15]

Endorsements

Stacy Garrity

U.S. senators

• Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania (1995–2007) ^[19]

U.S. representatives

• Rob Bresnahan, PA-08 (2025–present) ^[20]
• Dan Meuser, PA-09 (2019–present) ^[14]
• Lloyd Smucker, PA-11 (2017–present) ^[21]
• Glenn Thompson, PA-15 (2009–present) ^[18]

Statewide officials

• Tom Corbett, former governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015) ^[22]
• Timothy DeFoor, auditor general of Pennsylvania (2021–present) ^[23]
• Dave Sunday, attorney general of Pennsylvania (2025–present) ^[16]

State legislators

• Scott Martin, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present) ^[11]
• Joe Pittman, majority leader of the Pennsylvania Senate (2022–present) from the 41st district (2019–present) ^[11]
• Jim Struzzi, state representative from the 62nd district (2018–present) ^[11]
• Jesse Topper, minority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 78th district (2014–present) ^[11]
• Kim Ward, president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate (2022–present) from the 39th district (2009–present) ^[24]
• Martina White, state representative from the 170th district (2015–present) ^[11]

Organizations

• Maggie's List ^[25]

Political parties

• Pennsylvania Republican Party ^[26]

Dan Meuser (declined)

Executive branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present) ^[27]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Stacy Garrity	Doug Mastriano	Dan Meuser	Scott Perry	Kristin Phillips-Hill	Others	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [28]	September 18–19, 2025	524 (V)	± 4.3%	20%	39%	–	–	–	–	41%
Public Policy Polling (D) [29]	May 2025	433 (LV)	–	18%	39%	6%	–	–	–	37%
Pennsylvania Leadership Conference [30]	April 8, 2024	240 (V)	–	7%	6%	–	4%	3%	1%	79%

Lieutenant governor

Declared

• Cris Dush, state senator from SD-25 (2021–present) ^[31]
• Brian Thomas, businessman ^[31]
• John Ventre, former Pennsylvania director for the Mutual UFO Network and perennial candidate (previously ran for governor) ^[9]

Publicly expressed interest

• Doug Mastriano, state senator from SD-33 (2019–present) and nominee for governor in 2022 ^{[32] [33]}
• Rick Saccone, former state representative from HD-39 (2011–2018) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022 ^[31]

Declined

• Tom DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner ^[31]

Libertarian convention

Governor

Candidates

Declared

• Ken Krawchuk, member of the Libertarian Party Judicial Committee, perennial candidate, and nominee for governor in 1998, 2002, and 2018 ^[34]

Constitution convention

Governor

Candidates

Declared

• Bill Messner, chair of the Lawrence County Constitution Party ^[35]

Lieutenant governor

Declared

• Marty Selker, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 ^[35]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [36]	Likely D	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections [37]	Likely D	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [38]	Likely D	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH [39]	Safe D	September 30, 2025

Polling

Josh Shapiro vs. Stacy Garrity

Aggregate polls

Source of poll aggregation	Dates administered	Dates updated	Josh Shapiro (D)	Stacy Garrity (R)	Other/Undecided [c]	Margin
Race to the WH [40]	September 22–29, 2025	November 24, 2025	54.3%	37.9%	7.8%	Shapiro +16.4%
RealClearPolitics [41]	September 22–29, 2025	November 24, 2025	54.5%	37.5%	8.0%	Shapiro +17.0%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Josh Shapiro (D)	Stacy Garrity (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University [42]	September 25–29, 2025	1,579 (RV)	± 3.3%	55%	39%	1%	5%
Susquehanna Polling & Research (R) [43]	September 22–28, 2025	700 (LV)	± 3.7%	54%	36%	–	9%

Hypothetical polling

Josh Shapiro vs. Doug Mastriano

Aggregate polls

Source of poll aggregation	Dates administered	Dates updated	Josh Shapiro (D)	Doug Mastriano (R)	Other/Undecided [d]	Margin
Race to the WH [40]	September 22–29, 2025	November 24, 2025	55.3%	38.4%	6.3%	Shapiro +16.9%
RealClearPolitics [44]	September 22–29, 2025	November 24, 2025	55.5%	38.0%	6.5%	Shapiro +17.5%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Josh Shapiro (D)	Doug Mastriano (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University [42]	September 25–29, 2025	1,579 (RV)	± 3.3%	56%	39%	–	5%
Susquehanna Polling & Research (R) [45]	September 22–28, 2025	704 (LV)	± 3.7%	55%	37%	–	7%

See also

• 2026 Pennsylvania elections
• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. The other two are Maine, with an independent who caucuses with the Democrats and a Republican, and Wisconsin, with a Democrat and a Republican.
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
3. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
4. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.

References

1. "2026 State Primary Election Dates". National Conference of State Legislatures. September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
2. "119th Congress Smashes Record Low for Number of Split US Senate Delegations". No. Smart Politics. November 19, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
3. "Democrats will again control Pennsylvania House after holding on to one-seat majority". Spotlight PA. November 8, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
4. Issac-Dovere, Edward (January 8, 2026). "Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro launches his reelection bid with bigger plans in mind". CNN . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
5. Swartz, Katherine (December 31, 2024). "'The Feistiest I've Ever Seen Him': Inside Bob Casey's Final Days in the Senate". NOTUS . Retrieved December 31, 2024. Gov. Josh Shapiro is up for reelection in 2026, but if he runs for president over another term in Harrisburg, Casey said he's not interested in vying for the job
6. "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
7. Ulrich, Steve (January 8, 2026). "Shapiro Launches Reelection Campaign For Governor". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
8. Levy, Marc (August 18, 2025). "Republican Stacy Garrity seeks to challenge Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's reelection bid". Associated Press . Retrieved August 18, 2025.
9. Stockburger, George (January 8, 2026). "Who is running for Governor of Pennsylvania?". abc27. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
10. White, Jaxon (April 4, 2025). "State Sen. Scott Martin doesn't rule out potential entrance into 2026 governor's race". Lancaster Online . Retrieved April 4, 2025.
11. Ulrich, Steve (August 25, 2025). "Garrity Consolidates PA GOP Leaders Around Gubernatorial Campaign". PoliticsPA . Retrieved August 25, 2025.
12. "State Sen. Doug Mastriano announces he will not run for governor in 2026". fox43.com. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
13. Toth, Matthew (July 9, 2025). "'My focus needs to remain on doing my job': Rep. Meuser won't run for Pa governor in 2026". Lebanon Daily News . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
14. Lindenmuth, Kaylee; Stockburger, George (August 20, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Meuser backs Garrity for Governor". WHTM-TV .
15. McGoldrick, Gillian (December 8, 2024). "U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser is considering a run for Pa. governor in 2026 — and Treasurer Stacy Garrity isn't ruling one out". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved December 8, 2024.
16. Prose, J.D. (December 10, 2025). "Pa. AG Dave Sunday endorses Treasurer Stacy Garrity for governor". PennLive. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
17. Cole, John (March 13, 2025). "Q&A: Congressman Glenn Thompson talks tariffs, SNAP, and immigration's impact on agriculture". Pennsylvania Capital-Star . Retrieved March 13, 2025. Thompson: I would be honored to serve the state of Pennsylvania as governor, but I do think at this point in time with where I'm at in Congress that my best leadership and service for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is right here in Washington, DC.
18. "Thompson endorses Garrity for governor". The Express. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
19. Graas, Lisa (December 12, 2025). "Former U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum Endorses Garrity for Governor". Pierced Hearts. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
20. Rob Bresnahan (September 27, 2025). Stacy Garrity for Governor rally with Congressman Rob Bresnahan, September 26, 2025. Monroe County Republican Party of PA. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
21. "U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker endorses Treasurer Stacy Garrity for governor". Lancaster Online . September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
22. DeJesus, Ivey (September 17, 2025). "Former Gov. Tom Corbett endorses Republican Stacy Garrity in Pa. governor's race". PennLive.com . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
23. Doran, Brady (December 11, 2025). "Garrity receives endorsement from Auditor General Tim DeFoor". abc27 . Retrieved December 30, 2025.
24. Turner, Ford (July 27, 2025). "GOP field begins to emerge in 2026 race for Pennsylvania Governor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
25. Prose, J.D. (December 29, 2025). "Pa. Treasurer Stacy Garrity gets nod from conservative PAC in governor bid". PennLive. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
26. Schneider, Aliya (September 20, 2025). "Stacy Garrity gets state GOP endorsement for governor: 'Help is on the way.'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
27. Samuels, Brett (May 30, 2025). "Trump says he would back GOP Rep. Meuser for Pennsylvania governor bid". The Hill . Retrieved June 4, 2025.
28. Kail, Benjamin (September 24, 2025). "Pennsylvania Republican primary voters favor Mastriano over Garrity by wide margin, poll suggests" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
29. Otterbein, Holly (July 27, 2025). "'A nightmare that no one wants': GOP fears Mastriano's down-ballot drag in Pennsylvania". Politico. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
30. Cole, John (April 8, 2024). "Straw poll from Pennsylvania Leadership Conference offers early look at future GOP nominees". City & State Pennsylvania.
31. Bernard, Katie; McGoldrick, Gillian (January 14, 2026). "Stacy Garrity says she's 'talking to a lot of people' about being her running mate. Only two have stepped up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
32. McGoldrick, Gillian (March 28, 2025). "Garrity-Mastriano 2026? Doug Mastriano floats teaming up with Stacy Garrity to beat Dan Meuser in GOP primary for Pa. governor". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved March 29, 2025.
33. Prose, J.D. "Mastriano says 'only way' for Garrity to win governor's race is with him on the ticket". PennLive. PennLive. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
34. Pelullo, Antonio (June 9, 2023). "Libertarian Candidate for Governor Visiting Butler". Butler Radio Network. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
35. "Messner Announces Governor Bid". New Castle News. June 9, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
36. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
37. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
38. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
39. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
40. "2026 Governor Polling". Race to the White House. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
41. "2026 Pennsylvania Governor - Garrity vs. Shapiro". RealClearPolitics.com. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
42. "Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro Hits 60% Job Approval, Leads Republicans In 2026, 2028 Matchups, Quinnipiac University Pennsylvania Poll Finds; Dems Sour On Fetterman While GOP Voters Approve Of Him". Quinnipiac University. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
43. @SusquehannaPR (October 7, 2025). "In SP&R's latest PA poll, Gov. Shapiro leads "presumptive" GOP nominee S. Garrity by a 54:36 margin. But most of undecided vote is GOP - suggesting Garrity has plenty of room to grow as she continues to build name awareness... Field Dates 9/22-9/28; Sample 700 LV: MoE +/-3.7%" (Tweet). Retrieved October 7, 2025– via Twitter.
44. "2026 Pennsylvania Governor - Mastriano vs. Shapiro". RealClearPolitics.com. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
45. @SusquehannaPR (October 6, 2025). "Today SP&R releases PA Poll showing hypothetical h2h for Pa Gov ('26) w/ Gov. Shapiro leading former GOP rival D. Mastriano 55:37. Mastriano lost to Shapiro by 15 pts. in '22. Will S. Garrity do better? Find out tomorrow... Field Dates 9/22-9/28; Sample 704 LV; MoE: +/-3.7%" (Tweet). Retrieved October 7, 2025– via Twitter.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Stacy Garrity (R) for Governor
• Ken Krawchuk (L) for Governor
• Josh Shapiro (D) for Governor