Governor Shapiro Endorsed Pennsylvania House Candidates

The governor backed 11 Democratic candidates, including Elizabeth Moro, to bolster the party's legislative majority.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Elections

The Pennsylvania State Capitol dome in Harrisburg stands against a clear blue sky, illustrating the center of state legislative activity. — Governor Josh Shapiro has endorsed 11 Democratic state House candidates, including Elizabeth Moro, as part of a strategic effort to gain legislative control in Harrisburg. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Governor Josh Shapiro has endorsed 11 Democratic candidates for the Pennsylvania state House, including small business owner Elizabeth Moro for District 160. The move signals a strategic push to flip Republican-held seats in the upcoming November 2026 elections.

Why it matters

These endorsements aim to expand the Democratic House majority and secure control of the state Senate. Party leadership is focusing on key districts to advance legislative goals, such as raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee is fielding candidates in 187 of the 203 total Pennsylvania state House districts. Among the 11 candidates endorsed by Governor Shapiro, 10 are challengers running to flip seats currently held by Republicans.

The players

Josh Shapiro

He is the Governor of Pennsylvania and a prominent leader in the state Democratic party.

Elizabeth Moro

She is the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania House District 160 and a local small business owner.

House Democratic Campaign Committee

This is the primary political organization responsible for managing Democratic campaigns for the Pennsylvania state House.

The details

The Democratic party is aggressively targeting the Chester-Delaware County seat to shift the balance of power in Harrisburg. Elizabeth Moro, who is a community advocate, author, and real estate broker, is running as part of this broader effort to gain legislative control.

Governor Josh Shapiro announced his endorsements on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The Pennsylvania state House and Senate elections will take place in November 2026.

Political Context

These endorsements represent a direct effort by the Democratic party to overcome the legislative gridlock that has stalled the pursuit of a $15 hourly minimum wage. By targeting Republican-held seats, the party seeks to create a new legislative majority that would enable them to move beyond the constraints of the current Pennsylvania state minimum wage.

The outcome of these legislative races will determine if the state adopts a $15 minimum wage, directly impacting the earnings of low-wage workers. Residents in contested districts will likely see an increase in campaign activity as both parties fight for control of the chamber.

The takeaway

The strategy to flip seats in the Chester-Delaware County region highlights the critical importance of localized campaigning in state politics. Voters should examine the specific platforms of candidates in their districts to understand how legislative control could shift local economic policy.