Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has officially declared he will seek a second term, a move widely interpreted as the first major step in a potential run for the White House in 2028.
A Rising Star's Strategic Play
The 52-year-old Democrat, who has governed the pivotal swing state since January 2023, made his announcement on Thursday with planned events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. His near-landslide victory in 2022 established him as a formidable political force capable of winning a battleground state that Donald Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election.
In a campaign video, Shapiro pointed to his administration's achievements. "We’ve gotten a whole lot done on issues that have been stuck for decades," he said. "But there’s always more to do – more people to help, more Pennsylvanians to protect, more bridges to build. We’re moving our Commonwealth forward."
The Path to 2028: Navigating Challenges
Shapiro's name is frequently mentioned alongside other potential Democratic presidential contenders for 2028, such as California's Gavin Newsom and Illinois's JB Pritzker. However, unlike some rivals, he must first secure re-election in a competitive midterm race, offering an early measure of his national viability.
As governor, he has cultivated an image as a pragmatic moderate, securing bipartisan wins on public school funding and abortion access. Yet this centrism has drawn fire from progressives who desire more aggressive action on climate and education.
His staunch pro-Israel stance, shaped by his youth volunteering with the Israeli army, has also sparked opposition from some within his party's activist base. Last April, this tension turned dangerous when an arsonist attempted to burn down the governor’s mansion with Shapiro and his family inside following a Passover dinner.
Confrontations and Controversies
Shapiro has not shied away from direct confrontation with Donald Trump, having filed lawsuits over withheld state funding and condemning Trump's tariff policies. He recently criticised the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as "crazy" and part of a "bully’s weakness," suggesting it was a plan to "steal Venezuela’s oil to enrich his friends."
He has also publicly clashed with former Vice President Kamala Harris over her account of their discussions regarding the 2024 Democratic ticket, which he labelled "complete and utter bullshit" and "blatant lies."
As the 2026 gubernatorial race begins, all eyes will be on Shapiro's performance. A strong re-election victory in Pennsylvania would solidify his status as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination and a central figure in the future of US politics.
