Shapiro launches super PAC as presidential speculation mounts

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is launching a new political action committee (PAC), raising speculation that the governor may run for president in 2028.

The committee, called New Path PAC , says on its website that it is dedicated to electing candidates who will oppose President Trump.

“New Path PAC will help Governor Josh Shapiro build a movement to get citizens to rise up, demand more, and elect candidates who will put a check on Donald Trump and JD Vance’s chaos, cruelty, and corruption,” the website says.

Shapiro is considered one of many potential presidential candidates for Democrats in 2028. His popularity in Pennsylvania — a Quinnipiac University poll earlier this month found his job approval at 62 percent — has raised his stock among some in the party.

But first, Shapiro has to win reelection, with polls consistently showing he has a comfortable lead.

The Quinnipiac poll put him ahead of his Republican opponent by 26 points, 60 percent to 34 percent, among likely voters. Nonpartisan election forecaster Decision Desk HQ, a partner of The Hill, gives Shapiro a 95 percent chance of winning reelection.

But even in his gubernatorial campaign, Shapiro is already receiving questions about his future ambitions. In an Oct. 7 debate against his Republican opponent Stacy Garrity, the Pennsylvania state treasurer, moderators asked Shapiro whether he would commit to serving his full four-year term as governor if he is reelected in November.

Instead of answering directly, Shapiro said that Garrity would not finish her term as treasurer if she were to win the governor’s race.

“The treasurer made a commitment she would serve her full term as treasurer,” Shapiro said. “She’s obviously broken that, and I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure she’s able to serve all four years.”

When asked in the past if he will run for president, Shapiro has not answered the question directly. But he told Rev. Al Sharpton at a convention in April that he will “be a part of” conversations about the party’s future.