PITTSBURGH - Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on social media Thursday that he is running for a second term.

Shapiro launched his campaign alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on Thursday afternoon at the EAS Carpenters Technical Center in Pittsburgh, followed by another event in Philadelphia later that evening. He told supporters he wants to continue working to protect personal freedoms and improve the state's economy.

"I’m running for reelection to keep moving our Commonwealth forward," Shapiro said.

The governor highlighted his administration's work on public education funding and hiring law enforcement officers. He also criticized the economic policies of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Shapiro stated that the federal administration has raised costs for families and reduced healthcare funding.

Shapiro's events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Thursday were seen by many as the possible unofficial launch of a 2028 bid for president. The Democrat has not officially confirmed his interest in running for America's highest office, but he rose to national attention in 2024 when he was a finalist to serve as former Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate. 

Pennsylvania Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair Governor Andy Beshear released a statement praising Shapiro's work as governor.

"Since taking office, he has brought people together and gotten stuff done – even with one of the only divided legislatures in the country. Governor Shapiro has delivered on the issues that matter most – from cutting taxes for hardworking families and creating over 18,000 jobs, to delivering historic funding for law enforcement and public education," the statement reads.

Republicans quickly questioned Shapiro's record following the announcement. The Republican Governors Association released a statement accusing the governor of fiscal mismanagement.

"Shapiro has been more focused on his political ambitions while Pennsylvania’s economy, fiscal stability, and business climate are among the worst in the country," the association stated.

Shapiro is most likely to face Republican Stacy Garrity in the general election this November. The state treasurer announced her candidacy in August and received the official endorsement of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania in September.

Garrity is a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel. She has criticized Shapiro for vetoing a school choice program and for his handling of the state budget.

"My priority is you," Garrity said during her campaign launch.

Shapiro has held high approval ratings at many times throughout his first term as governor, polling as high as 60% in a Quinnipiac poll in October 2025. Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, told 21 News the 2026 election cycle will be the first true test of that popularity. 

"It's early, but I'm expecting to see this campaign really lean into Josh Shapiro's brand and Republicans' attempt to sort of build a counterbalance to it, because he really has not faced much sustained campaigning against him," Caruso said. "He's won in a lot of races, but no one's really dumped a ton of money into trying to define him on on negative terms, and I'm expecting to see a lot of
that this year."

Shapiro will have plenty of his own money to spend on the race: he set a state campaign finance record at the start of 2026 with $30 million on hand.