Gov. Josh Shapiro endorses 20 candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives as Democrats seek to expand majority

Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed 20 House candidates on Monday as Democrats prepare for a tough fight to maintain or expand their majority.

Democrats took over the state House in 2022, winning a one-seat majority — thanks in part to fresh legislative districts that were more competitive and Democratic victories in runoff elections — for the first time in 12 years. Now, House Democrats are looking to expand that majority.

Among those endorsed by Shapiro are seven candidates from southeastern Pennsylvania and seven incumbents in competitive districts, including a vulnerable Democrat in central Bucks County. Four of Shapiro’s favorites are from Bucks County, a pivotal county in the presidential race in a state where (*20*) are now ahead of Democrats in voter registration.

“Maintaining a Democratic majority in the Pennsylvania State House is critical to advancing my priorities as Governor of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said in a statement. “That is why I fully support defending our majority and electing more Democrats to the State House in November.”

Shapiro’s endorsement did not come with any financial support for the candidates’ campaigns, but he is expected to provide financial support to them in the coming weeks.

Shapiro’s seven targeted endorsements in southeastern Pennsylvania are significant because nearly all of them are seats where Democrats believe they can unseat an incumbent Republican. For example, Shapiro endorsed Middletown Township Supervisor Anna Payne, who is running against Rep. Joe Hogan (R., Bucks), who won his seat in 2022 by just 76 votes. He also endorsed business owner Elizabeth Moro, who is challenging Rep. Craig Williams (R., Delaware), the only Republican still representing parts of the now-solidly blue Delaware County.

Shapiro also highlighted Democratic priorities he has pushed through with a slim Democratic majority in the state House — in partnership with the GOP-controlled state Senate — including a property tax enhance and rent relief for seniors, an expansion of the child care tax credit and a major investment in public education in response to a court order requiring officials to create a fresh school funding system.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Shapiro supported:

All 203 state representatives are up for reelection in November to two-year terms, and half of the 50-member state Senate is up for four-year terms. Senate Democrats are hoping to shrink the GOP’s six-seat Senate majority, and Shapiro is likely to campaign for candidates on the ballot.

Shapiro is currently the only governor in the country with a divided legislature, where opposing political parties control the House of Representatives and the Senate.