HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and GOP opponent Stacy Garrity participated in a gubernatorial debate on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Harrisburg. The event was the only scheduled gubernatorial debate before the November 3, 2026, general election.

A poll released on October 7, 2026, showed Shapiro leading Garrity by 25 percentage points. Both candidates won their primaries uncontested in May 2026.

The debate was the first statewide governor's debate in Pennsylvania since 2018, when Shapiro served as Pennsylvania’s attorney general. An arsonist set fire to Shapiro’s house in April 2025.

Shapiro and Garrity expressed similar perspectives on Israel during the debate. "I want to recognize the anniversary of the Hamas attacks, where 1,200 innocent people were killed, including 49 Americans," said Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who has held the office since 2020. "I want to remember the lives that were stolen, the families that were changed forever, and the Americans that didn’t make it home."

Garrity invested $20 million in Israel bonds after the October 7, 2023, attack and another $35 million in July 2025. She also served in the military for two decades and won reelection as state treasurer in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Erin McClelland with 51.9% of the vote. US President Donald Trump has endorsed her campaign.

"This is a moment where my heart stands with the people of Israel," he said. "My heart stands with the Jewish community, who I know are grieving as a result of this." He recalled that Hamas murdered 1,200 innocents and took over 250 hostages, including many Americans, during the October 7 attack. "This is a moment where we need to stand together against terrorism, against hate and against antisemitism."

He stated he has been consistent in his support for Israel while disagreeing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Benjamin Netanyahu has led Israel down a very dangerous and isolated path," he said. "I want America to have a strong relationship with Israel and with the Israeli government." He added that such a relationship is "not possible right now with the Netanyahu government in charge." Shapiro served as Pennsylvania's Attorney General from 2017 to 2023, during which he oversaw a major investigation into sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and defended reproductive rights. Primary source: pa.gov

The candidates clashed on issues including the death penalty, voter identification, taxes, and tariffs. They also discussed data center development, the state gas tax, and Medicaid. "Developers and tech companies must generate their own power and pay for it to build data centers in Pennsylvania," he said.

He opposed a bill passed in Washington, D.C., that he said would slash funding for Medicaid and SNAP in rural hospitals to provide tax cuts. Garrity said Medicaid is not being eliminated and that spending on the program is higher this year than last year.

Garrity suggested using the rainy day fund to offset the diesel and gas tax for two to three months. He said he is open to a temporary gas tax reduction but noted it requires an act of the legislature. "In the second term, we’ll continue our work to cut taxes, not raise them," he said.

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Garrity said she held five listening sessions across Pennsylvania regarding data centers. Shapiro said data center projects must earn local community support through an ordinance or resolution, include local labor, and include a local benefits agreement before the Commonwealth considers permits.