Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity compete for Pennsylvania governor

Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity compete for Pennsylvania governor

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Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls this November to decide the state’s executive leadership and several key congressional seats in a midterm cycle defined by high-stakes flips and seasoned incumbents. The race for governor pits Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro against Republican nominee and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, while several congressional districts serve as battlegrounds for control of the U.S. House.

From the Lehigh Valley to the Northeast, the outcomes will determine who controls the levers of state spending and who represents Pennsylvania’s interests in Washington.

Shapiro and Garrity Fight for the Governor’s Mansion

The gubernatorial race has become a centerpiece of the 2026 midterms. Josh Shapiro is seeking another four years in office, leaning on his record as the state’s chief executive. His opponent, Stacy Garrity, is using her experience as state Treasurer to make the case for a change in leadership. While current polling shows Democrats holding a lead as the election nears, the campaign has shifted toward specific, high-impact economic drivers.

Data centers have emerged as a dominant theme in the gubernatorial race.

The stakes here are immense. A victory for Shapiro would grant him another four years in office, while a win for Garrity would replace him with the Republican nominee.

The Battle for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania

Beyond the governor’s race, several congressional districts are seeing intense competition, some featuring incumbents who flipped their seats as recently as 2024.

Josh Shapiro, Stacy Garrity face off in Pennsylvania governor's debate

The Moderate Middle in PA-1

In the 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Bucks County and portions of Montgomery County, Republican Brian Fitzpatrick is fighting to keep his seat. Fitzpatrick has built a reputation as a moderate, serving as co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. He faces Bob Harvie, a Democrat and Bucks County Board of Commissioners member who has the endorsement of Governor Shapiro.

Harvie has centered his campaign on a critique of the Trump administration’s policies, attempting to pull the district back toward the Democratic column. The contest in PA-1 features incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, known for his moderate streak, and Democrat Bob Harvie.

The Flip-Seat Defense in PA-7 and PA-8

The Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania are seeing a pattern of Republican incumbents attempting to hold ground they only recently gained. In the 7th District, Ryan Mackenzie is running for a second term after flipping the seat from blue to red in 2024. Mackenzie, who sits on the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, is being challenged by Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Similarly, in the 8th District, Rob Bresnahan is seeking re-election after also flipping his seat red in 2024. Bresnahan, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, faces Paige Cognetti, the current mayor of Scranton.

Pennsylvania Governor's Debate: Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity face off

Scott Perry and Janelle Stelson Rematch in 10th District

Perhaps the most personal race is in the 10th Congressional District, where Scott Perry and Janelle Stelson are facing off in a rematch of their 2024 contest. Perry, the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, narrowly held onto his seat by just over 5,000 votes in the previous cycle.

Stelson, a former news anchor and reporter endorsed by Governor Shapiro, is attempting to flip the seat. Their recent debates have highlighted deep divisions over the economy and international conflicts, specifically the war in Iran. Perry continues to campaign on an “America First” platform, while Stelson argues for a different approach to federal governance.

The narrow margin of the previous election makes PA-10 a prime target for Democratic gains.

November Decisions Will Affect Pennsylvanians

From the role of data centers in the gubernatorial race to the priorities of House representatives, the decisions made in November will affect Pennsylvanians.

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