Josh Shapiro

Josh Shapiro
Born	Joshua David Shapiro 20 6, 1973
Birthplace	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Title	Governor of Pennsylvania
Known for	48th Governor of Pennsylvania
Education	University of Rochester (BA) Georgetown University (JD)
Children	4
Website	[[[:Template:Official website]] Official site]

Joshua David "Josh" Shapiro (born June 20, 1973) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Shapiro has built a political career spanning more than two decades in Pennsylvania government, rising from state representative to county commissioner to attorney general before winning the governor's office. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Shapiro earned national attention as attorney general for overseeing the release of a landmark grand jury report documenting the abuse of children by Catholic priests across the state and for negotiating a billion-dollar opioid settlement on behalf of Pennsylvania. In the 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, he ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican nominee Doug Mastriano by a wide margin in the general election. As governor, Shapiro has emerged as one of the most prominent Jewish elected officials in the United States, a fact that has taken on heightened significance amid rising antisemitism nationwide. His lieutenant governor is Austin Davis, who serves alongside him as the first African American to hold that office in Pennsylvania.

Early Life

Joshua David Shapiro was born on June 20, 1973, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a suburban county northwest of Philadelphia that would later become the political base from which he launched his career in public service. Shapiro grew up in a Jewish household, and his faith has remained a central part of his identity throughout his life and political career. According to reporting by the Associated Press, Shapiro has spoken publicly about the role that Judaism plays in his worldview and his approach to governance, particularly as antisemitic incidents have increased across the country.

On April 13, 2025, Shapiro and his family survived an arson attack at the governor's mansion in Harrisburg. The attack occurred just hours after the family had held a Passover Seder at the residence. The incident drew widespread attention and concern, underscoring the security risks faced by prominent Jewish public officials in the United States.

Education

Shapiro attended the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, where he studied political science and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at Georgetown prepared him for a career that would blend law and public policy, beginning with his early work in the United States Senate.

Career

Early Career and Political Beginnings

After completing his legal education at Georgetown University, Shapiro worked as a senior adviser to U.S. senator Robert Torricelli of New Jersey. This position provided Shapiro with experience in federal-level politics and policy work before he returned to Pennsylvania to pursue his own political career.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2005–2012)

In 2004, Shapiro was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, defeating former Republican U.S. representative Jon D. Fox to win the seat representing the 153rd district. The victory was notable as Fox was a well-known figure in Montgomery County politics who had previously served in Congress. Shapiro represented the 153rd district from January 2005 to January 2012, serving for seven years in the state legislature. During his time in the House, he established himself as a Democratic voice in the Philadelphia suburbs, a region that was undergoing a significant political realignment from Republican to Democratic during this period. He was succeeded in the seat by Madeleine Dean, who later went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2012–2017)

Shapiro was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in 2011, an election that marked the first time the Republican Party lost control of the Montgomery County government. He took office in January 2012, succeeding Jim Matthews as chairman of the board. The shift in party control was emblematic of broader demographic and political changes occurring in the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia, as areas that had long been Republican strongholds began trending toward the Democratic Party.

As chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Shapiro oversaw county government operations for one of the most populous counties in Pennsylvania. In 2015, he received an additional appointment from Governor Tom Wolf, who named Shapiro chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. He served on the Board of Commissioners until January 2017, when he was succeeded by Val Arkoosh after his election as attorney general. His tenure on the county board helped raise his profile statewide and positioned him for his successful run for the attorney general's office.

Attorney General of Pennsylvania (2017–2023)

Shapiro was elected Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 2016, defeating Republican John Rafferty Jr. in the general election. He took office on January 17, 2017, succeeding Bruce Beemer, who had served in an acting capacity. Shapiro was reelected to the position in 2020, serving a total of six years as the state's chief law enforcement officer.

Grand Jury Report on Clergy Abuse

One of the most consequential actions of Shapiro's tenure as attorney general was the release of a statewide grand jury report in August 2018 that documented decades of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests in Pennsylvania and systematic efforts by church leaders to conceal the abuse. The report, which covered six of the state's eight Catholic dioceses, identified more than 300 priests accused of abusing more than 1,000 children over a period spanning approximately seventy years. The findings generated national and international attention and prompted renewed calls for legislative action to extend statutes of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

The report was described as one of the most comprehensive investigations of clergy abuse undertaken by any state. Shapiro personally presented the findings and advocated for reforms to allow victims to seek justice. The investigation and its aftermath solidified Shapiro's national reputation as a law enforcement official willing to take on powerful institutions.

Opioid Crisis and Settlement

As attorney general, Shapiro was involved in efforts to address the opioid epidemic that had devastated communities across Pennsylvania. He helped negotiate approximately $1 billion for Pennsylvania as part of a national opioid settlement with pharmaceutical companies. The funds were intended to support treatment, recovery, and prevention programs across the state. The opioid crisis was one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Pennsylvania during Shapiro's tenure, and his office's work on the settlement was among the largest financial recoveries achieved by the state.

Other Actions as Attorney General

Shapiro took positions on a number of other significant issues during his time as attorney general. In February 2017, he was among a group of Democratic state attorneys general who joined legal efforts to challenge the travel ban issued by President Donald Trump.

In 2018, Shapiro joined other attorneys general in seeking to block the online publication of downloadable blueprints for 3D printed firearms, arguing that the availability of such plans posed a public safety threat.

In September 2019, Shapiro publicly stated his support for the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania, becoming one of the first statewide officeholders to take that position. That same year, his office held a town hall focused on student loan debt, addressing a growing concern among Pennsylvania residents.

Shapiro's office also handled a number of criminal cases involving public officials. In December 2019, his office brought criminal charges against state representative Movita Johnson-Harrell. In 2021, his office also brought theft charges against state representative Margo Davidson.

His office was involved in overseeing investigations into police use-of-force cases in Philadelphia, including a review of the fatal shooting of Jeffrey Dennis by a Philadelphia police officer.

2020 Presidential Election

In December 2020, Shapiro played a role in the certification of Pennsylvania's electoral college votes for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 presidential election. As attorney general, he defended the integrity of the state's election process against legal challenges that sought to overturn the results.

2022 Gubernatorial Campaign

In October 2021, Shapiro announced his candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania, seeking to succeed the term-limited Tom Wolf. His entry into the race had been widely anticipated, with political observers in Pennsylvania noting his positioning for a gubernatorial run as early as 2019.

Shapiro ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, consolidating party support early in the campaign. He received endorsements from major labor organizations, including the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council. His fundraising was prolific; NBC10 Philadelphia reported that Shapiro set a campaign cash record in the race for Pennsylvania governor. Initial fundraising reports indicated a competitive financial landscape among the various candidates in both parties' races.

In the general election, Shapiro faced Republican nominee Doug Mastriano, a state senator who had been a prominent figure in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania. Shapiro defeated Mastriano by a substantial margin, winning the election in what was described as a landslide victory. He took office as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania on January 17, 2023.

Governor of Pennsylvania (2023–present)

As governor, Shapiro has pursued an agenda focused on a range of policy areas. His lieutenant governor, Austin Davis, became the first African American to serve in that role in Pennsylvania history.

Legislative Priorities

In February 2026, Shapiro urged the Pennsylvania state legislature to pass a whistleblower protection law, specifically a false claims act that advocates said could help the state recover millions of dollars from Medicaid fraud cases. The proposed legislation, however, drew criticism from some who expressed concern about a potential surge of costly litigation.

Emergency Management

In February 2026, Shapiro signed a proclamation of disaster emergency ahead of a major winter storm expected to bring significant snowfall to parts of Pennsylvania, mobilizing state resources for storm preparation and response.

Relationship with Senator John Fetterman

Shapiro's relationship with U.S. senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has drawn media attention. In February 2026, Shapiro declined to say whether he would support Fetterman's reelection bid, while maintaining that the two have a "constructive relationship."

Ceremonial Actions

In February 2026, Shapiro ordered all United States and Pennsylvania flags to be flown at half-staff on March 7 to honor the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Personal Life

Shapiro and his family reside at the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence in Harrisburg. He has four children. Shapiro is Jewish, and his faith has been a significant part of his public identity. According to reporting by the Associated Press, Shapiro has increasingly spoken about his Jewish heritage amid a national rise in antisemitic incidents, positioning him as one of the most prominent Jewish politicians in the United States.

On April 13, 2025, Shapiro and his family survived an arson attack at the governor's mansion. The attack occurred just hours after the family had hosted a Passover Seder at the residence. The incident brought national attention to threats against public officials and to antisemitic violence.

In February 2026, The Washington Post reported on a dispute between Shapiro and a neighbor near the governor's mansion, an incident that attracted media coverage and became a minor political story.

Recognition

Shapiro gained national recognition during his tenure as attorney general, particularly for his leadership of the statewide grand jury investigation into clergy abuse within the Catholic Church. The 2018 grand jury report, which documented abuse by more than 300 priests and cover-ups by church leaders, drew attention from media outlets across the United States and internationally. The investigation was covered extensively by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and other major publications.

His role in negotiating the national opioid settlement, which secured approximately $1 billion for Pennsylvania, further raised his profile among law enforcement officials and public health advocates nationwide.

As governor, Shapiro has been the subject of national political coverage, with media outlets identifying him as a rising figure within the Democratic Party. His status as one of the nation's most prominent Jewish elected officials has generated additional coverage, particularly in the context of national conversations about antisemitism and the role of faith in American political life.

Shapiro's appearances and activities have been recorded by C-SPAN as part of its coverage of American political figures.