Susquehanna Polling & Research
80%60%40%20%0%
58%
2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$123.9M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age52 years old (Jun 20, 1973)
GenderMale
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LocationPennsylvania
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Rochester (B.A., Political Science, 1995)
Notable personal detailsJoshua David Shapiro is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania since January 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 worked earlier as a congressional aide and as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Joe Hoeffel.
SourcesShowHide
pa.govarchives.house.state.pa.usen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgbsky.appapnews.comzh.wikipedia.orghks.harvard.educbsnews.comen.everybodywiki.comnaag.orgdownloadexcelfiles.comdced.pa.govinquirer.comwesa.fmtimesobserver.comcwsharrisburg.orgontheissues.orgwitf.orgstateimpact.npr.orgtnonline.comnbcnews.compost-gazette.comnga.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgbioguide.congress.govcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgballotready.orggoldman.house.govmccormick.senate.govmeuser.house.govgovinfo.govoversight.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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Josh Shapiro has joined Democratic leaders from nearly two dozen states in suing President Donald Trump over a new 15% global tariff, arguing Trump overstepped his authority under the Trade Act. He is also in an ongoing legal fight with neighbors over a property boundary at his Montgomery County home, with both sides alleging misconduct and seeking damages. Politically, he is being discussed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, but a recent recognition poll found only 17% of voters could identify him, even as a Pennsylvania poll showed solid approval and many voters saying he would make a good president.
pa.gov+37
Articles
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Have you seen these people? One of them may be your next president
Negative
TPThe Philadelphia Inquirer3 months ago
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro joins other states challenging Trump’s latest swing at global tariffs
Positive
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Memoirs from presidential candidates shed light on 2028 strategy
Positive
PTPittsburgh Tribune-Review3 months ago
Poll: 4 in 10 Pa. voters think Josh Shapiro would make a good president
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising