HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania has a new governor.
Democrat Josh Shapiro, the two-term attorney general from Montgomery County, defeated Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, a retired U.S. Army colonel.
- Shapiro defeated Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano
- Shapiro's running mate, state Rep. Austin Davis, will become Pa.'s first Black lieutenant governor
- Shapiro succeeds Gov. Tom Wolf—the first time in 66 years that a new governor follows a member of his own party
Shapiro’s running mate, state Rep. Austin Davis of Allegheny County, will become Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor.
The victory by the 49-year-old Shapiro makes him the first Pennsylvania governor elected to succeed a member of his own party since 1966. He’ll take the office held by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who was constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third term.
“Tonight, voters from Gen Z to our seniors, voters from all walks of life, have given me the honor of a lifetime, given me the chance to serve you as Pennsylvania’s next governor,” Shapiro said in a victory speech, according to the Associated Press.
He thanked his family and supporters and went on to tell the crowd that “real freedom won tonight” and “Democracy endured” in a race he characterized as, in part, a fight to preserve the right to vote and the right to an abortion.
Abortion rights were a main issue in the campaign following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade earlier this year.
An abortion rights supporter, Shapiro pledged to protect Pennsylvania’s existing 24-week law.
Mastriano, R-Franklin, vowed to restrict abortion and was a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump’s effort to stay in power despite Trump’s election loss in 2020. Mastriano marched to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Polls closed at 8 p.m., although a judge in Luzerne County ordered all polling places to stay open until 10 p.m. after a paper shortage at precincts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
