Shapiro and Garrity Open to a 2026 PA Governor Debate
Both campaigns say they are open to at least one debate, which would give voters their first governor matchup since 2018.
- Governor Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity confirmed this week they are willing to participate in debates before November's general election, with Garrity proposing seven events across the Commonwealth's media markets.
- The last gubernatorial debate occurred in 2018 between then-Governor Tom Wolf and Republican nominee Scott Wagner; it has been nearly a decade since Shapiro last shared a debate stage with a political rival.
- Spokesperson Manuel Bonder stated the Shapiro campaign will not negotiate terms through the press, while Garrity's spokesperson Matt Beynon noted they have not spoken directly with Shapiro's team about scheduling as of last week.
- Amy Widestrom of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania said debates offer voters authenticity, though incumbents often fear the "risk" of stumbling; Philip Hensley-Robin of Common Cause PA added candidates have responsibility to be transparent.
- Shapiro currently leads in Franklin & Marshall College polls released last week; despite consensus on debate value, experts note increased political polarization makes finding a neutral moderator difficult for both campaigns heading into November.
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Tioga Publishing
Shapiro and Garrity both say they’re willing to debate in this year’s Pa. gov race
Experts say political debates are getting rarer, but this year both of Pennsylvania’s candidates for governor say they’re open to it.
Garrity Calls For Seven Debates vs. Shapiro - PoliticsPA
If two's company and three's a crowd, what's seven? That's the number of gubernatorial debates that Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity wants to have against Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro during the 2026 general election campaign.
Garrity Demands Seven-Debate Faceoff Across Every Pennsylvania Media Market - Tampa Free Press
Republican nominee for Governor and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity called on Governor Josh Shapiro today to participate in seven public gubernatorial debates ahead of the upcoming election. Garrity is pushing to hold one debate in each of Pennsylvania’s distinct media markets. The challenge comes after the Shapiro campaign publicly indicated a willingness to discuss a […] Garrity Demands Seven-Debate Faceoff Across Every Pennsylvania Media Market
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