Democrat Plotting 2028 Run
Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is making a significant political move that could signal his ambitions for the 2028 presidential election, raising new questions about whether he is preparing to seek the White House after President Donald Trump’s second term.
Shapiro has established a new federal political action committee called New Path PAC, allowing him to raise money and support Democratic congressional candidates beyond Pennsylvania’s state-level elections.
The announcement comes as Shapiro campaigns for reelection in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state that has played an important role in recent presidential elections.
According to reports, the new political committee will focus on helping Democrats win competitive congressional races in the November midterm elections. However, its creation has also intensified speculation that Shapiro is positioning himself for a possible presidential campaign in 2028.
The committee is expected to support Democratic candidates challenging Republican incumbents, including candidates in several closely watched Pennsylvania congressional districts.
Those candidates include Bob Harvie, Bob Brooks, Paige Cognetti, and Janelle Stelson, all of whom are competing in races that could influence which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.
Shapiro has already demonstrated considerable fundraising strength. His political operation has accumulated approximately $60 million for his gubernatorial reelection effort, giving him a substantial financial advantage over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity.
That fundraising success could become an important asset if Shapiro eventually decides to pursue national office.
However, establishing a federal political action committee does not automatically mean he intends to run for president. Such organizations can help politicians support other candidates, develop relationships with donors, and expand their political influence nationwide.
Shapiro has repeatedly emphasized that his immediate priority remains winning another term as Pennsylvania governor and helping fellow Democrats succeed in the midterm elections.
During an October gubernatorial debate, he declined to rule out a future presidential campaign, although he maintained that his attention remained on his current responsibilities and the upcoming election.
The development comes as Democrats begin considering who could lead their party into the 2028 presidential contest.
Several prominent Democratic governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, have also established federal political committees, giving them opportunities to expand their national profiles.
For Republicans, the emergence of potential Democratic presidential contenders highlights the political battles that could follow the conclusion of Trump’s second term.
Pennsylvania will likely remain a central focus of those discussions. Trump carried the state in the 2024 presidential election, demonstrating its importance to Republican efforts to win the White House.
Shapiro’s ability to attract campaign contributions and appeal to voters in a politically divided state could make him an influential figure in the Democratic Party’s future.
Still, significant questions remain about whether he can translate his success in Pennsylvania into support among Democratic primary voters across the country.
For now, Shapiro has made no official announcement regarding a 2028 presidential campaign, and his newly established PAC is focused on the upcoming congressional elections.
Nevertheless, the move gives him an additional platform to build relationships, support Democratic candidates, and establish a broader national political presence.
With the 2026 midterms approaching and the next presidential election just two years away, Shapiro’s latest decision ensures that speculation surrounding his political future is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
