Who is running in Pennsylvania’s 2026 Governor race?
The 2026 Pennsylvania governor election will determine who leads the state’s executive branch. Incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is running for re-election in a politically competitive state. This page explains who is running, the election structure, and provides crucial background and polling updates. Whether you’re following the Pennsylvania 2026 governor race or seeking an introduction, this guide is built for a clear, nonpartisan understanding.
2026 Pennsylvania Governor Election: Who Is Running?
Pennsylvania voters will select their next governor in November 2026. The office of governor is the chief executive of the state, responsible for leading the administration and setting policy priorities. The current governor, Josh Shapiro, is a Democrat and is running for re-election as the incumbent. Experts rate the 2026 race as ‘Likely Democratic,’ meaning current forecasts and available polling favor the Democratic candidate, based on available data. Pennsylvania is a swing state in the Northeast, characterized by close elections and shifts between both major parties. The state has a split U.S. Senate delegation, a Republican-leaning U.S. House delegation, a Democratic-controlled state House, and a Republican-controlled state Senate. In recent elections, Pennsylvania was narrowly won by Donald Trump in 2024, by Joe Biden in 2020, and Trump again in 2016. This dynamic history shapes the competitive nature of the 2026 governor election.
Candidates in the 2026 Pennsylvania Governor Election
Democratic Candidates: Josh Shapiro is the incumbent Democratic governor, running for a second term. He previously served as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General and is noted for his work related to election integrity and for filing lawsuits in defense of state interests. According to the provided summary, Shapiro is endorsed by the Jewish Democratic Council of America. His stated key issues include lowering costs, increasing jobs, funding public education, public safety, economic concerns, and protecting the independence of state courts. Republican Candidates: Stacy Garrity, the current Pennsylvania State Treasurer, is running for governor as a Republican. Per the input, she is a strong supporter of Donald Trump’s policies, has spoken at rallies addressing 2020 election results, and is officially declared for the race. Her endorsements, as listed in the summary, include several U.S. Representatives from Pennsylvania, the former Governor, state legislators, the Pennsylvania Republican Party, and Donald Trump. Her campaign emphasizes affordability, economic growth, and supporting Trump-era policies. John Ventre is a Republican candidate and former state director for the Mutual UFO Network. He is described as a perennial candidate. Doug Mastriano, identified as a state senator, is rumored as a candidate but has not officially declared. He lost the 2022 governor’s race to Josh Shapiro and has relaunched a gubernatorial website for 2026. Independent/Other Candidates: Ken Krawchuk is running as the Libertarian Party nominee. He is a perennial candidate for governor, representing third-party and independent perspectives in the general election.
The 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election details
The 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026. The election will use Pennsylvania’s standard partisan primary system, where each major party nominates its candidate through its primary election before the general election. Recent coverage outlines that both the Democratic and Republican parties will hold primaries, while third-party and independent candidates such as the Libertarian nominee may gain direct access to the general election ballot by meeting the state’s requirements. According to overviews, the state’s competitive political environment results from split control across legislative bodies and frequent swings between parties in statewide and federal elections. The candidate field reflects this dynamic, with declared, potential, and perennial contenders across major and minor parties. No changes to the primary or general election system are noted in current summaries. Voter advocacy and election integrity remain frequent topics according to external sources, but the election is scheduled to proceed under typical Pennsylvania rules.
Polling and Race Outlook: 2026 Pennsylvania Governor Election
Polling as of September 2025 indicates Governor Josh Shapiro holds a significant lead over Republican candidates Stacy Garrity and Doug Mastriano, by margins of approximately 15–18 points in likely or registered voter samples. In hypothetical matchups, Shapiro is ahead of Garrity and Mastriano in the general election, while Mastriano appears to lead Garrity in the GOP primary. Polls also show Shapiro with a 60% job approval rating, suggesting incumbent advantages in voter familiarity and support. However, awareness of Republican candidates remains limited, with a substantial share of voters reporting insufficient information about them. Race ratings from external sources describe the contest as ‘Likely Democratic.’ The competitive nature of Pennsylvania politics could influence voter turnout and party strategies as the election approaches.
Key Issues in the Pennsylvania Governor Race
Key issues in the 2026 Pennsylvania governor election, as listed in the summaries and candidate statements, include economic concerns and affordability, food assistance and social support, public education funding, jobs and economic growth, election integrity and legal challenges, and immigration and deportation policies. Economic matters and affordability remain central to many platforms, with both major parties referencing job growth, public service funding, and assistance programs. In addition, the integrity of the electoral process continues to be a topic in campaign discourse and public policy debates. Education funding and social support initiatives appear as consistent priorities. Immigration-related policy proposals and enforcement also surface as influential topics for many voters and candidates alike.
Work with Sutton & Smart: Campaign and Political Services
If you represent a political campaign, candidate, or organization, Sutton & Smart can support your efforts in Pennsylvania’s 2026 governor election. We offer services ranging from petition gathering and canvassing to voter contact and political consulting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Pennsylvania_gubernatorial_election
Early Polls Show Gov. Josh Shapiro Leading GOP Challengers Stacy Garrity and Doug Mastriano in 2026 Pennsylvania Governor’s Race
https://www.aclupa.org/issues/voting-rights/
Ready to launch a winning campaign? Let Sutton & Smart political consulting help you maximize your budget, raise a bigger war chest, and reach more voters.
Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
AutoAuthor | Partner
