Josh Shapiro wins second term as Democrats achieve trifecta in PA

Democrat Josh Shapiro won a second term as Pennsylvania governor on Tuesday, Nov. 3, decisively defeating Republican Stacy Garrity. His victory helped Democrats flip the state Senate and build their majority in the state House, creating a Democratic trifecta in Harrisburg.

With about 94% of the vote counted, unofficial results showed Shapiro leading Garrity 60% to 38.5%, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Libertarian candidate Ken Krawchuk received 1.3% of the vote.

Election 2026: Josh Shapiro for Governor Victory Speech

Shapiro’s Victory Speech

In his victory speech, Shapiro addressed the challenges faced over the past two years. Two hundred and fifty years since we declared our independence from a king, our nation has been through ups, downs, and everything in between, he said. These past two years in particular have tested our will in previously unimaginable ways. And you had every reason to throw up your hands. To tune out. To walk away. But that’s not what you did. You kept the faith. He continued, You used your power. You not only entrusted me with the opportunity to continue serving as your governor, you did your part to help change the very trajectory of this country. You declared, within the borders of this commonwealth, and all across this nation: We still determine our future — and no one gets away with compromising our shared values.

Shapiro also acknowledged his opponent, stating, I just got off the phone with Stacy Garrity, who wished me well and said she wants to work together to serve the people of Pennsylvania. We have plenty of disagreements. That’s part of a healthy democracy. But I appreciate her service to our commonwealth.

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Democratic Leaders React

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Eugene DePasquale said voters sent a clear and resounding message. He praised the Shapiro-Davis Administration for bringing tens of thousands of jobs and tens of billions of dollars of private-sector investment to Pennsylvania, making unprecedented investments in education and public safety, supporting organized labor, and defending our fundamental freedoms.

State leaders celebrated the trifecta. Senate Majority Leader Jay Costa said, We got a clear mandate. The governor has his mandate to be able to advance this Commonwealth. Speaker Joanna McClinton noted that the few hundred bills, every term since I’ve had the gavel, that have never been addressed, that have never had a hearing, that have never been called up to vote in a committee will finally get the light of day. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said, While we all thought the biggest news of the day might be a Governor winning by 20 plus points in a time of tremendous tribalization in our politics, the fact that we also stand here with a Senate Democratic majority for the first time in some of our lifetimes is a hell of a compliment to the leadership of Governor Shapiro.