Franklin & Marshall College Center for Opinion Research
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2028 South Carolina Democratic primary winner?
$508.00
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age53 years old (Jun 20, 1973)
GenderMale
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LocationPennsylvania
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Rochester
Notable personal detailsJoshua David Shapiro is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the 48th Governor of Pennsylvania since January 17, 2023. He previously served as Pennsylvania Attorney General (2017–2023), Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2011–2017), and a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2005–2011). He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He is married to Lori Shapiro and they have four children.
SourcesShowHide
pa.govnga.orgen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgx.comcommons.wikimedia.orgvotejoshshapiro.orgimdb.comphmc.state.pa.usarchives.house.state.pa.usdownloadexcelfiles.comscholarworks.indianapolis.iu.eduarxiv.orgdced.pa.govapnews.cominquirer.comwesa.fmtimesobserver.comcwsharrisburg.orgontheissues.orgwitf.orgstateimpact.npr.orgcbsnews.comtnonline.comgiffords.orgpadems.orgabc27.comlehighvalleypublicmedia.orgphilforcolorado.compoliticspa.compbs.orgthecentersquare.comwhyy.orgcityandstatepa.commcall.comspotlightpa.orgbritannica.comthehill.commezha.netwgal.comphillytrib.comthetimes-tribune.comballotpedia.orgsenate.govballotready.orgbioguideretro.congress.govgovinfo.govhouse.govjudiciary.senate.govmeuser.house.govcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgquery.wikidata.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgoversight.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
As governor, Josh Shapiro has pursued a mix of tax policies: accelerating cuts to Pennsylvania’s corporate net income tax and cutting taxes for businesses and seniors, while also expanding refundable tax credits and creating a state Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief for lower-income working families. His budgets include business-focused tax reductions combined with targeted tax credits and program investments rather than broad tax increases on high earners.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable health coverage and strengthening Medicaid and state programs rather than large-scale privatization or repeal; has signed laws and proposed state funding increases to improve access (telemedicine coverage, Medicaid funding, rural hospital support) and opposed federal Medicaid cuts. Focuses on expanding coverage and access through government programs and regulatory action rather than endorsing single‑payer proposals.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting DREAMers and recognizes the economic and social contributions of immigrants while opposing deployment of Pennsylvania National Guard troops to the southern border. Emphasizes the need for comprehensive federal immigration reform and maintains cooperation with federal authorities on public-safety cases, rejecting a sanctuary-state approach for Pennsylvania. Has condemned what he describes as federal overreach in aggressive immigration enforcement actions and signed proclamations marking Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal access to abortion and reproductive health care in Pennsylvania, defends the availability of medication abortion including mifepristone, and has pledged to veto legislation that would ban or severely restrict abortion. Has directed administration actions to protect and expand access, including filing to challenge a Medicaid abortion-coverage ban and launching a state reproductive health resources website.
Climate & Energy
Supports state-led cap-and-invest to limit carbon emissions, increased renewable and clean-energy goals, and incentives for nuclear, hydrogen, battery storage and other low-emission technologies while allowing transitional uses of natural gas; emphasizes lowering consumer bills and job creation alongside emissions reductions.
Public Safety & Guns
Josh Shapiro supports expanding gun safety laws including universal/background checks, red flag (extreme risk) laws, regulation of ghost guns and restrictions on assault-style weapons while also funding violence-prevention programs and law enforcement resources. He has repeatedly called for closing background-check loopholes and has advocated passage of red flag legislation and measures to regulate ghost guns.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Josh Shapiro is in the news as he builds a national profile and signals he is looking toward a possible 2028 Democratic presidential run. At the same time, he is heading into the 2026 Pennsylvania governor’s race as a heavy favorite against Republican Stacy Garrity, with recent polling showing him well ahead. He has also been active in state and national politics, including endorsing a Democrat in a key House race and speaking out on party strategy and donor politics.
pa.gov+54
Articles
TPThe Philadelphia Inquirer1 month ago
Josh Shapiro weighs in on N.Y. primaries, John Fetterman in MS NOW interview
Positive
MPMechanicsburg Patriot News 2 months ago
Pa. voters more dissatisfied, especially with Trump tariffs, Jan. 6 fund | Morning Scrapple poll
Positive
WEWashington Examiner2 months ago
Josh Shapiro says 'weaponization' of AIPAC's politics is 'a problem in our system'
Neutral
NNNBC News2 months ago
Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity prepare to face off for governor of Pennsylvania this fall
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
2028 South Carolina Democratic primary winner?
Endorsers of Josh Shapiro for 2028 South Carolina Democratic primary winner?
Bob Harvie
Public figure
Bob Harvie endorsed Josh Shapiro in the Pennsylvania congressional primary context.
Giffords PAC
Elected official
Giffords PAC endorsed Josh Shapiro for governor of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Elected official
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party endorsed Josh Shapiro for reelection as governor.
Pennsylvania labor leaders
Public endorsement
Pennsylvania labor leaders backed Josh Shapiro at his 2026 reelection announcement events.
Pennsylvania local Democratic officials
Labor organization
Pennsylvania local Democratic officials backed Josh Shapiro at his 2026 reelection announcement events.
Firefighter union leaders
Labor organization
Firefighter union leaders backed Josh Shapiro in a key congressional race.
Bob Brooks
Public figure
Bob Brooks endorsed Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District race.
Phil Weiser
Elected official
Phil Weiser endorsed Josh Shapiro for governor of Pennsylvania.
Janelle Stelson
Public figure
Janelle Stelson endorsed Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania's 10th District race.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising