Josh Shapiro — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Pennsylvania, 2026

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro opposes federal immigration enforcement tactics and is preparing his state for potential crackdowns. He has publicly criticized federal plans to convert warehouses into ICE detention centers in Pennsylvania, citing "real harms" to communities, including negative impacts on health, safety, and tax revenue. Shapiro stated his administration will "aggressively pursue every option" to block these facilities and believes federal actions are violating constitutional rights.

““I believe ICE is acting outside the bounds of the law,” Shapiro said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He added that Pennsylvania is “preparing as though we can be next.” “We will be prepared in the court. We will be prepared in the community,” Shapiro said. (Josh Shapiro, MS NOW, Jan. 29, 2026)”

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Josh Shapiro ended Pennsylvania's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and proposed his own Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program (PACER) to create jobs in the energy sector, bring clean energy onto the grid, and reduce energy costs for Pennsylvanians. His 2026 budget proposals have been criticized by environmental groups for an "all of the above" energy policy, while the Environmental Defense Fund applauded his "Lightning Plan" for prioritizing pollution reduction and job creation through collaborative efforts, including methane regulations.

““It’s time to look forward, and I’m going to be aggressive about pushing for policies that create more jobs in the energy sector, bring more clean energy onto the grid, and reduce the cost of energy for Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said. (WESA, November 14, 2025)”

Josh Shapiro supports abortion rights and has vowed to protect Pennsylvania's existing 24-week abortion law. He advocates for retaining state Supreme Court justices, emphasizing their role in safeguarding reproductive rights and access to abortion and birth control. He also filed a notice to defend access to reproductive care in the case of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

““They’ve proven we can count on them to protect a woman’s access to abortion and birth control,” Shapiro said in an ad paid for by Vote Yes for Fair Courts, a group whose ads have been promoted by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party on social media.”

Josh Shapiro opposes military action against Iran, advocating for diplomatic solutions in foreign policy. He has vowed to use all legal tools to block planned ICE detention centers in Pennsylvania. Shapiro also views the BDS movement, which boycotts Israel, as rooted in antisemitism. He emphasizes the importance of the United States leading in AI supremacy over China.

“BDS (boycotting Israel) is rooted in antisemitism. Josh Shapiro, OnTheIssues.org, July 2024.”

Shapiro advocates for significant investments in education, proposing a $53.3 billion budget for 2026-27 that includes an additional $665 million for K-12 and special education funding. He supports banning student cell phone use in schools and has overseen a nearly 30% increase in K-12 funding, citing the belief that economic growth and opportunity begin in the classroom.

“"Supporting our kids means investing more dollars in our schools and also ensuring they have a healthy, productive learning environment," Shapiro told lawmakers gathered in the House chamber Tuesday, February 3, 2026.”

Josh Shapiro supports increasing investments in gun violence prevention and community violence intervention programs, noting their role in decreasing gun homicides. He proposed a budget that includes $1 million for an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and doubles funding for the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to $8.9 million. Additionally, he signed a law requiring school entities to notify guardians, parents, and employees of any weapon incidents on school grounds within 24 hours.