Josh Shapiro launches federal political action committee ahead of election

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has established a federal political action committee called the New Path PAC, the Washington Examiner and Inquirer.com reported on October 16. The move comes as the Democratic governor faces a reelection vote next month. The creation of the committee is considered the clearest indication that he is weighing a campaign for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. [1][3]

Aides and political staff for the governor are publicly playing down speculation regarding a 2028 presidential run, the Washington Examiner reported. Shapiro has repeatedly stated that he intends to serve a full four-year term if voters reelect him as Pennsylvania governor. However, the New York Post reported that a whistleblower lawsuit contains allegations that could complicate his future political plans. [1][2]

Shapiro has served as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. He previously worked as the state attorney general from 2017 to 2023 and served on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners from 2012 to 2017. He also served as a state representative for Montgomery County from 2005 to 2011. [4][5]

During his tenure as attorney general, Shapiro led investigations into child sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church and pursued lawsuits against opioid producers including Purdue Pharma. He won the 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election against Republican candidate Doug Mastriano with 56.5 percent of the vote. [5]