Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro launched a federal political action committee named New Path PAC in October 2026, fueling speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. While the PAC aims to help Democrats in competitive Pennsylvania House races and check Donald Trump, it joins similar federal operations established by Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker. Shapiro holds a 62 percent approval rating and leads Republican opponent Stacy Garrity by 26 points, though his refusal during an October 7 debate to commit to a full four-year term has drawn criticism.
Launch and goals of New Path PAC
- ▪Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro launched a new federal political action committee called New Path PAC
- ▪New Path PAC aims to help Democrats win competitive Pennsylvania House of Representatives races and flip the state chamber
- ▪New Path PAC stated on its website that its mission is to build a movement to elect candidates who will check Donald Trump and JD Vance
Strategic value of Pennsylvania legislative races
- ▪Democratic strategist Jason Palmer stated that winning big in Pennsylvania's governor's race and helping flip Republican congressional seats in Pennsylvania would provide Josh Shapiro with valuable proof of political appeal outside his own elections
- ▪Geopolitical analyst Irina Tsukerman stated that four competitive Pennsylvania House races present Josh Shapiro with opportunities to build relationships with local campaigns
Debate over full term commitment
- ▪During an October 7, 2026 debate, Josh Shapiro argued that Republican opponent Stacy Garrity would not complete her term as Pennsylvania state treasurer if elected governor
- ▪During an October 7, 2026 gubernatorial debate, Josh Shapiro declined to pledge to serve his full four-year term as governor of Pennsylvania if reelected, drawing criticism from Republican opponent Stacy Garrity
Risks of early presidential campaigns
- ▪Democratic political expert Garry South noted that former California Governor Pete Wilson won reelection in 1994 before announcing a presidential bid a few months later
- ▪Democratic political expert Garry South warned that governors who run for president shortly after winning reelection risk alienating home-state constituents, citing a March 1995 Los Angeles Times poll where two-thirds of Californians opposed Pete Wilson's 1995 presidential bid
Republican strategist on 2028 race
- ▪Republican campaign strategist Jeff Burton stated that political attention will shift to the 2028 presidential race minutes after polls close on November 3, 2026
- ▪Republican campaign strategist Jeff Burton stated that Democratic Party debates over progressive policy, socialist influence, and support for Israel and Gaza could challenge Josh Shapiro as a prominent Jewish Democrat
Polling and forecasts in Pennsylvania
- ▪An October 2026 Quinnipiac University poll showed Josh Shapiro leading Republican opponent Stacy Garrity by 26 percentage points, 60 percent to 34 percent, among likely Pennsylvania voters, while holding a 62 percent job approval rating
- ▪A Decision Desk HQ forecast gave Josh Shapiro a 95 percent chance of winning the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
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