Shapiro Wins Pennsylvania Governor Race
Democrat Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Stacy Garrity, and Democrats also gained control of the state Senate for the first time in over 30 years.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust Pennsylvania's state government to represent your interests?
Josh Shapiro won the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election over Stacy Garrity with 60.28% of the statewide vote, receiving 2.99 million votes, according to unofficial results. Democrats also won control of the Pennsylvania Senate, which Republicans had held with a 27-23 majority.
Why it matters
The results give Democrats control of both the governor's office and the state Senate for the first time in more than 30 years, shaping the state's policy agenda. The margin of Shapiro's win and the Senate shift signal a notable change in Pennsylvania's political balance.
Shapiro's 60.28% share of the statewide vote came from 2.99 million ballots, per unofficial returns. Official certification of the results had not been completed at the time of publication.
The players
Josh Shapiro
Shapiro is the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania who won reelection in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Stacy Garrity
Garrity is the Republican Pennsylvania state treasurer who was the party's nominee for governor in 2026.
The details
In Northumberland County, Garrity received 15,953 votes to Shapiro's 11,648. Several other races also reported results, including Stender at 65.96% and Stehr at 66.84% in Northumberland County, and Leadbeter at 61.24% in Columbia County.
Timeline
Election held Tuesday, November 4, 2026, with unofficial results reported.
Stehr commented on her reelection when reached on Wednesday, November 5, 2026.
Political Context
Democrats' takeover of the Pennsylvania Senate reverses the prior 27-23 Republican majority, giving the party unified control of the governor's office and the chamber. The shift is the first Democratic control of the Senate in more than 30 years.
With Democrats now controlling both the governor's office and the state Senate, policy decisions in Pennsylvania will likely move through a single party's control of state government. Residents should watch for legislative action in the coming session, which will reflect the new balance of power.
The takeaway
The result shows a shift in Pennsylvania's partisan balance, with Democrats now holding both the governorship and the state Senate. Voters and observers should track how that unified control shapes the state's next legislative session.
Further reading
For more on the state's races, browse Pennsylvania Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News-Item.
Live Poll
Do you trust Pennsylvania's state government to represent your interests?
