1️⃣ One day closer to the weekend
📖 In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Josh Shapiro’s re-election campaign in Pennsylvania begins now. The Post-Gazette will publish its final edition and cease operations on May 3. PA Voter Registration by County. New Girl Scout Cookie
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. I’m running away from my dream. Tom Petty
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ Pittsburg | Partly radiant, 54
🌤️ Harrisburg | Partly radiant, 50
☀️ Philadelphia | Mostly radiant, 51
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (20-15) | Washington 131-110 | Friday in Orlando
🏒 Flyers (22/12/7) | Thu vs. Toronto
🏒 Penguins (20/12/9) | Thu vs. New Jersey
📅 What’s happening today. Josh Shapiro will announce that he will seek a second term as governor of Pennsylvania at two events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
🔈 What we hear. “A victory, perhaps an impressive one, in Pennsylvania, a key swing state starting this cycle, is as big a boost as you can get.” – Chris BorickMuhlenberg College
🔈 What do we also hear?. “Josh Shapiro cares more about getting ahead on Pennsylvania Avenue than serving hard-working Pennsylvanians.” – Stacy Garrity
📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most significant story
1. Josh Shapiro’s re-election campaign starts now – but 2028 is looming
“He’s running.
Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday will formally announce his widely expected candidacy for Pennsylvania governor as speculation continues to grow about a presidential run in 2028. The question now: How will the Democrat’s alleged presidential ambitions strengthen or weaken his mandatory national runoff elections in 2026?
Shapiro kicks off his re-election campaign with not one, but two rallies – first with stops in Pittsburgh and then in Philadelphia.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Josh Shapiro is beginning a re-election bid that will carry consequences into 2028. “Pennsylvania’s governor starts out as the clear favorite, but Republicans are trying to make him sweat.” | New York Times
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is making a re-election bid with bigger plans in mind. “For Josh Shapiro, what matters most is winning Pennsylvania. It all starts on Thursday, when Shapiro begins his campaign for a second term as governor, holding rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But facing a Republican opponent who is expected to be stronger than the one he faced four years ago, Shapiro will be looking to break his record in a state that has become a keystone of Democratic presidential hopes – and perhaps his own.” | CNN
Will unions push Josh Shapiro to win re-election? “Union leaders remain optimistic that Gov. Josh Shapiro will be able to once again win over Pennsylvania union voters at a time when Democrats have struggled to win their support.” | Keystone
Vote on the Fitzpatrick-backed bill extending the ACA subsidies established today. “Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are expected to vote on January 8 on fully extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.” | Bucks County Courier Times
The Supreme Court could leave the Voting Rights Act alone long enough to keep the GOP from controlling the House of Representatives in 2026.. “Republicans want a big victory for the Supreme Court in redistricting. They are losing hope that it will help them in the midterms in 2026. ” | POLICY
Country
2. The Post-Gazette will publish its final edition and cease operations on May 3
“The owner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Block Communications Inc., said Wednesday it would cease publication of the newspaper on May 3, which came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider a stay of a lower court ruling that the newspaper called burdensome.
The company’s decision follows a long-term legal battle with trade unions at a time when the entire publishing industry is struggling with falling advertising revenues and changing reader habits.’ | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
PA’s unemployment rate increases to 4.2% and remains below the national average. “The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) released the preliminary employment situation report for November 2025 on Wednesday. The delay in reporting data is a direct result of the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. Due to the federal government shutdown, October labor force data is not available.” | PoliticsPA
Doug Mastriano is withdrawing from the AP governor’s race without endorsing Republican Stacy Garrity. “Doug Mastriano, the Republican who lost to Josh Shapiro in the 2022 race for Pennsylvania governor, said Wednesday he will not seek the party’s nomination in 2026. Mastriano, 62, spoke nostalgically live on social media about the grassroots campaign he ran four years ago.” | LNP
Allegheny County Council Chairwoman Catena announces bid to replace Kulik in the House of Representatives. “Another Democrat has joined the ranks of candidates hoping to replace Democrat Anita Kulik in the Allegheny County House of Representatives.” | THAT’S ALL
Beck is running for the House of Representatives. “Brock Beck, a Democrat, has announced his campaign for the 9th Legislative District primary. Marla Brown, a two-term Republican, currently holds the seat.” | New news about the castle
Around the Republic of Poland
3. PA Voter Registration by County
“With the curtain drawn on 2025, attention turns to 2026 and the midterm elections.
Once again, the Keystone State will play a major role in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as whether it wants to retain Governor Josh Shapiro for another term.
Let’s not forget that the Commonwealth will also decide whether it wants Democrats to maintain control of the House of Representatives, where they have a 102-101 majority, and whether Republicans should maintain control of the state Senate, where they have a 27-23 majority. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
The newly sworn-in Bucks County sheriff says the ICE program is bullshit. “The new Bucks County sheriff says he will formally end the county’s participation in the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement program by the end of the month, fulfilling a campaign promise.” | Bucks County Courier Times
Measles vaccination rates in most Pennsylvania counties are below herd immunity levels. “More than half of Pennsylvania counties, including Philadelphia, do not meet the herd immunity threshold for measles, according to new data collected and analyzed by the Washington Post.” Axios Philadelphia
An investigation into an error in the Chester County survey book has been completed, but results will not be released until later. “Chester County officials are reviewing the report and will make it public at the Jan. 27 meeting of the county Board of Elections.” | WHY
Judge Stambaugh returns to the York County bench following federal indictment. “Judge Steven Stambaugh returned to the York County bench following a federal wire fraud indictment and a one-year probation that was lifted after he completed a pretrial diversion program.” | Shipment from York
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. New Girl Scout Cookie
“AND a modern Girl Scout cookie is added to our offer Tuesday marked the official start of cookie season.
Why it matters: The annual cookie sale is substantial business and an enduring American tradition.
Message management: Exploremores joins the ranks of Girl Scout cookies for the 2026 season. A rocky road-inspired sandwich cookie featuring chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond-flavored cream.
- Fan favorites such as Thin Mints, Samoas and Caramel deLites and Tagalongs are back.
Thank you for starting your Thursday with us.
Enjoy higher temperatures. I’ll see you tomorrow.
