Who Is Running for Pennsylvania Governor
Democrat Josh Shapiro, the governor, and Republican Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer, are the major-party nominees for Pennsylvania governor on November 3, 2026. Voters pick the governor and lieutenant governor together, so each nominee has a running mate (Ballotpedia; Pennsylvania Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. 4).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, and the last day to register is October 19, 2026 (Pennsylvania Department of State).
- Josh Shapiro won the office in 2022 with 56.5% of the vote and is seeking a second term.
- Stacy Garrity has been state treasurer since January 19, 2021 and won a second term in 2024.
- Democrats control the state House and Republicans control the state Senate.
The constitution allows two terms in a row, so a second term would be Josh Shapiro‘s last before he would have to sit out (Art. IV, Sec. 3). Stacy Garrity oversees the state’s money as treasurer, an office she won in 2020 and again in 2024 (Ballotpedia). Libertarian Ken Krawchuk is also on the ballot.
Tickets for Pennsylvania governor and lieutenant governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Pennsylvania gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026, as of 2026-10-14
Pennsylvania Governor Primary Results
Neither nominee faced an opponent in the May 19, 2026 primary. Josh Shapiro drew 1,116,960 votes and Stacy Garrity drew 641,534. Lieutenant governor nominees win their own primary. Jason Richey won the Republican one with 65.6% of the vote (Ballotpedia).
More voters cast ballots in the uncontested Democratic primary for governor than in the Republican one, 1,116,960 to 641,534. Pennsylvania runs closed primaries, so only voters registered with a party can vote in its primary (NCSL). Our primary elections guide explains how each state runs them.
The 2022 Pennsylvania Governor Result
In the last open race for governor, Josh Shapiro beat Republican Doug Mastriano by 792,660 votes on November 8, 2022.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Josh Shapiro (D) | 56.5% |
| Doug Mastriano (R) | 41.7% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. Three minor-party candidates took the remaining 1.9%.
That result is the most recent statewide test for the office. It does not predict 2026, and this page carries no polls or race ratings.
Pennsylvania’s Split Legislature
Democrats hold the state House 103 to 100, and Republicans hold the state Senate 27 to 23, according to Ballotpedia. A bill needs both chambers and the governor, so neither party can pass one alone.
Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of all members elected to each chamber, 34 senators and 136 representatives (Art. IV, Sec. 15). Neither party holds that many seats in either chamber, so an override would need votes from both parties. All 203 House seats and 25 of the 50 Senate seats are on the November 3 ballot.
What the Pennsylvania Governor Can Do
Pennsylvania’s governor runs the state agencies, signs or vetoes every bill, and can strike single spending items from the budget. The governor also names the secretary of the commonwealth, who oversees elections.
Powers of the Pennsylvania governor
Source: Pennsylvania Constitution, Article IV
How to Vote for Governor
Register by October 19, 2026; Pennsylvania has no Election Day registration. Any registered voter can vote by mail without giving a reason. Check your registration with the Department of State’s voter status lookup.
Pennsylvania's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 19, 2026 Last day to register Online, in person, or by mail.
- October 27, 2026 Last day to apply for a mail ballot Any registered voter may vote by mail.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Mail ballots must reach the county by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
- January 19, 2027 Term begins The four-year term starts on the third Tuesday of January.
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races on the ballot this year.
Pennsylvania Governor Questions
Who is running for governor of Pennsylvania in 2026?
Democrat Josh Shapiro, the governor, and Republican Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer, are the major-party nominees for November 3, 2026, with running mates Austin Davis and Jason Richey. Libertarian Ken Krawchuk is also on the ballot.
Who is Stacy Garrity?
Stacy Garrity is the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2026. She has been Pennsylvania’s treasurer since January 19, 2021 and won re-election in 2024.
Can Josh Shapiro run for governor again?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Constitution lets a governor serve two four-year terms in a row, and Shapiro is seeking his second on November 3, 2026. A second term would be his last in a row.
When does the next Pennsylvania governor take office?
On January 19, 2027. The constitution starts the four-year term on the third Tuesday of January after the election.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration before October 19, 2026 with the voter status lookup. After that date you cannot register for November 3.
- Apply for a mail ballot by October 27, 2026 if you want to vote from home, and return it early. It must reach your county by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Look up your state senator and representative. Both chambers are on the ballot, and they decide which bills reach the governor.
- Compare the issues on the line in Pennsylvania: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.