Josh Shapiro tests political power in Pennsylvania’s 2026 midterms

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Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, is testing his political strength as he opens his 2026 campaign trail, seeking to consolidate support at home while pushing for Democrats in competitive congressional primaries that could help determine control of Washington.

Shapiro, who is beginning to campaign, has said he wants voters to give Democrats control of Pennsylvania’s legislature for the first time in decades and has worked to influence the party’s federal nominees. In interviews and comments reported by The Associated Press, Shapiro described his focus as both winning his own reelection bid and aiding other Democrats’ races in the midterms.

Speaking to The Associated Press after meeting with Democrats at a coffee shop in small-town Lock Haven, Shapiro said, “The only thing I am focused on is beating my opponent for governor and helping other Democrats get elected here and sending a clear message to Donald Trump that the chaos, cruelty and corruption that he’s been engaged in is not something that we support here in Pennsylvania.” He also said Democrats need to “get stuff done” and that he wants “to be part of that conversation,” without laying out whether he is interested in a White House run.

Shapiro’s approach includes party-building steps before the midterms. The Associated Press reported that ahead of this year’s campaign, Shapiro helped place his hand-picked chair at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and that he has put more than $900,000 into the organization’s accounts, putting him on a path to break his own state fundraising record, according to the report. Shapiro’s allies have also promoted specific candidates for competitive House primaries, including Paige Cognetti, mayor of Scranton; Bob Brooks, president of the state firefighters’ union; and Janelle Stelson, a former television news personality.

In advance of balloting, Shapiro has endorsed Brooks, who is running in a hotly contested four-way primary for the chance to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. Shapiro’s involvement has not deterred other Democratic contenders. The Associated Press reported that Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor running against Brooks, released a campaign memo that framed Crosswell as lacking “party machine” support, while Shapiro said he is focused on trying to “elevate good people” and that he hopes they “all win.”

Republicans are also sending surrogates and pushing their own messaging into the contest. Stacy Garrity, the state’s Republican treasurer running for governor, told an interviewer that Shapiro “can’t hide his ambition” and said, “We all know that he’s more interested in Pennsylvania Avenue than helping Pennsylvania families,” adding that she believes Shapiro wants Democrats to take a harder look at him. The Associated Press also reported that Garrity said the White House asked her for a list of people she wants to visit in Pennsylvania, and that Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and cabinet secretaries have visited contested congressional districts.

The report described additional GOP involvement in Pennsylvania, including House Speaker Mike Johnson’s fundraising swing through the state earlier in the month. Greg Steele, a spokesperson for Johnson’s political operation, said, “We know the majority runs through Pennsylvania and the speaker is focused on doing everything he can to help those members defend their seats,” and the Associated Press reported it is likely Johnson will return because Pennsylvania was his last campaign stop before the 2024 election. Trump and Vance could return as well, while Trump has posted on social media about a decision by owners of two coal-fired power plants not to close.

As Shapiro begins campaigning beyond statehouse politics, the Associated Press reported that he is building crowds even in parts of Pennsylvania that are not major metro centers. The report said Shapiro helped pack a ballroom for Centre County Democrats and a coffee shop for Clinton County Democrats, where Bre Brannan, the chair of the Clinton County Democratic Party, said she saw “brand-new people” and that Republicans and independents were in attendance too.

Shapiro’s argument to voters includes legislative priorities that Democrats say Republicans have stalled, such as raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage and expanding legal protections for LGBT residents, along with a housing affordability plan he is pursuing. The Associated Press also noted that Democrats would face a difficult task consolidating state government power: Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the state House and have not held the state Senate majority for more than three decades.

For Democratic strategists, the midterms also offer a test of Shapiro’s ability to recruit support and resources in a swing state. Paul Begala, a Democratic campaign strategist and senior aide to Bill Clinton, told the Associated Press that Democrats around the country are paying attention to Shapiro because of Pennsylvania’s political difficulty, and he described the election as an opportunity for Shapiro to show that he is a “winner” and a “fighter.” Begala said, “Right now, Democrats, the thing they want the most is a winner, and a very close second is a fighter,” adding that the campaign gives Shapiro a chance “to show that.”

Mike Mikus, a Democratic campaign strategist, said pouring money into down-ballot races and flipping seats may not always move the average voter, but he described it as compelling to activists, donors, and elected officials because it speaks to perceptions of candidate strength. Mikus said, “It doesn’t guarantee anything,” and added that it is “definitely something to bring to the table” when securing donors, endorsements, and finance chairs.