LOCK HAVEN, PA. — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is campaigning across the state to urge voters to hand Democrats control of the state legislature for the first time in decades and to back his preferred candidates in competitive congressional primaries ahead of the midterms. Shapiro spoke to a packed ballroom for Centre County Democrats and to a packed coffee shop for Clinton County Democrats earlier this month.

Shapiro is pushing his endorsed candidates in competitive congressional primaries to shape the party's slate for the midterm elections, with Democrats seeking to flip four U.S. House seats in Pennsylvania. His endorsed candidates include Paige Cognetti, Bob Brooks, and Janelle Stelson. Shapiro cut an advertisement for Brooks, who is running in a contested four-way primary to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.

"Pennsylvania is the 'center of the political universe' in the fight for control of the U.S. House," Shapiro said. Former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several Cabinet secretaries have visited Pennsylvania's contested congressional districts, and House Speaker Mike Johnson made a fundraising swing through the state earlier this month.

Shapiro got committee members to elect his hand-picked chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and has contributed more than $900,000 so far this election cycle to the state party's accounts. He is on track to break his own state fundraising record. Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania state House and have not held a majority in the state Senate in over three decades.

Shapiro is pushing legislation this year to raise Pennsylvania's minimum wage, expand legal protections for LGBT residents and advance a housing affordability plan. Shapiro has never said whether he is interested in running for president, though he has said he wants a voice in his party's future.

On his endorsement effort, Shapiro said: "I'm just focused on trying to elevate good people. Hopefully they'll all win."

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity offered a different view. "We all know that he's more interested in Pennsylvania Avenue than helping Pennsylvania families," Garrity said. "He thinks if he can hand Pennsylvania on a platter to the Democratic Party, then maybe they take a harder look at him."

Democratic campaign strategist Paul Begala said the governor's efforts could affect his standing in the party. "Right now, Democrats, the thing they want the most is a winner, and a very close second is a fighter," Begala said. "This election is an opportunity for him to show that."