2026 Pennsylvania Election Cycle Overview
The 2026 election cycle in Pennsylvania promises to be highly consequential, featuring pivotal contests for governor and congressional seats, with a Senate race on the horizon two years later.
Recent Electoral Trends in Pennsylvania
Known for its swing-state status, Pennsylvania has alternated between Democratic and Republican preferences in recent elections. Barack Obama secured the state in 2008 and 2012, but Donald Trump carried it in 2016. The state returned to Democrats in 2020 before swinging back to Republicans in 2024.
Incumbents and Their Campaigns
Governor Josh Shapiro
Incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator John Fetterman are both seeking reelection—Shapiro in 2024 and Fetterman in 2028.
Challenges Facing Shapiro
Shapiro will face a challenging political environment, having won his first term in 2022 by over 14 points, although the recent presidential election showed a narrow margin for Trump over Kamala Harris in the state. A contentious issue looming over Shapiro’s campaign is a proposed bill to ban males from participating in female sports at public sc...