The 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Democratic state attorney general Josh Shapiro defeated Republican state senator Doug Mastriano to win his first term in office. Shapiro succeeded Democratic incumbent Tom Wolf, who was term limited.
In the primaries on May 17, 2022, Shapiro was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Mastriano, who was endorsed by Donald Trump (between presidencies), won the Republican nomination with 44% of the vote over former congressman Lou Barletta and former U.S. attorney William McSwain. Although the election was expected to be competitive due to Pennsylvania's reputation as a swing state, Mastriano had trouble fundraising, made few media appearances, committed multiple gaffes, was accused of antisemitism against Shapiro, and generated controversy from his far-right positions. Mastriano's struggles helped Shapiro take a strong polling lead that continued up to the election.
Shapiro defeated Mastriano by almost 15 points, the largest margin for a non-incumbent candidate for Pennsylvania governor since 1946, and earned the most votes of a Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate at just over three million. His large margin of victory was credited with helping down-ballot Democrats in concurrent elections. The victory also marked the first time since 1844 that the Democratic Party won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in Pennsylvania, and the first since 1950 that any party had done so. According to exit polls, Shapiro won independent voters by a 31-point margin, which contributed to Mastriano's defeat.
Democratic primary Governor Campaign Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro ran unopposed and was described as the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee by The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pennsylvania Capital-Star early in the campaign, with the Capital-Star reporting that efforts to recruit a primary challenger to the left of Shapiro had failed.
Candidates Nominee Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General (2017–2023), former member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2012–2017), former state representative for PA-153 (2005–2012)
Failed to qualify for ballot access Tega Swann, Christian minister
Declined Brendan Boyle, U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district (2019present) and former U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district (20152019) (ran for re-election) John Fetterman, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania (2019–2023), candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016 (ran for the U.S. Senate) Sara Innamorato, state representative for the 21st legislative district (20192023) Jim Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia (20162024) Joe Torsella, former Pennsylvania state treasurer (2017–2021)
Endorsements
Results
Lieutenant governor
Candidates Nominee Austin Davis, state representative from the 35th district (2018–2022)
Eliminated in primary Brian Sims, state representative from the 182nd district (2012–2022) Ray Sosa, candidate for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 2018
Declined Elizabeth Fiedler, state representative for the 184th legislative district (2019present) Steve Irwin, banking commissioner of Pennsylvania (2006–2014) (ran unsuccessfully for Congress) Michelle Kenney, activist for Black Lives Matter and mother of Antwon Rose Malcolm Kenyatta, state representative for the 181st legislative district (2019present) (ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, endorsed Shapiro) Joe Torsella, former Pennsylvania state treasurer (2017–2021)
Withdrew Patty Kim, state representative for the 103rd legislative district (2013–present), Harrisburg City Council member (2006–2012) (running for re-election) Mark Pinsley, Lehigh County controller (2019–present) (running for State Senate)
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary In the Republican primary, leading candidates included former congressman Lou Barletta, Montgomery County commissioner Joe Gale, political strategist Charlie Gerow, former U.S. Attorney William McSwain, state Senator Doug Mastriano, and former Delaware County councilmember Dave White.
Several key issues, such as school choice, natural gas exploration in PA, and tax reform, were early themes in the Pennsylvania GOP debates before the primary election, while voting laws in the Commonwealth were a later topic of debate.
Due to his support for overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election and his role in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack, many Republicans expressed concern about Mastriano's ability to win the general election. As a result, the party encouraged other candidates to drop out to allow for an alternative to Mastriano to gain traction.
On May 12, president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Jake Corman dropped out and endorsed Barletta. On May 14, former president Donald Trump endorsed Mastriano. On May 12, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that former U.S. Representative Melissa Hart would also drop out and endorse Barletta. Mastriano won the primary with almost 44% of the vote, defeating his nearest competitor, Barletta, by over 23 points.
The New York Times reported in mid-June that Mastriano had been aided in the primary by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Shapiro's campaign with an ad equating him to Trump. Shapiro defended the move, saying the ad demonstrated the contrast between him and Mastriano as part of the general election campaign. The Times saw it as part of a nationwide strategy to gain easier opponents in November.
Governor
Candidates Nominee Doug Mastriano, state senator from SD-33 (2019–present) and candidate for PA-13 in 2018
Eliminated in primary Lou Barletta, U.S. representative from PA-11 (2011–2019), Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 Joe Gale, member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2016–present), candidate for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 Charlie Gerow, vice-chair of the American Conservative Union William McSwain, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2018–2021) Dave White, member of the Delaware County Council (2012–2017) Nche Zama, cardiothoracic surgeon
Withdrew Shawn Berger, restaurant owner , CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry (2014–present), Chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley (2011–2014) (ran unsuccessfully for U.S. House) Jake Corman, state senator from District 34 (1999–2022), President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate (2020–2022) (endorsed Barletta) Melissa Hart, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district (2001–2007), state senator from District 40 (1991–2001) (endorsed Barletta) , state senator from District 13 (2017–present) Jason Monn, former mayor of Corry (2015–2016) (ran for State Representative) Jason Richey, attorney at K&L Gates (endorsed McSwain) Mike Turzai, speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2015–2020), state representative from HD-28 (2001–2020), candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 John Ventre, Westmoreland County Republican Committeeman
Declined Ryan Aument, state senator for the 36th senatorial district (2015–present) Jeff Bartos, businessman and nominee for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 (ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate) Jim Cawley, former lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015) (endorsed Barletta) Laureen Cummings, former Lackawanna County commissioner and Republican nominee for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district in 2012 Brian Fitzpatrick, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district (2019–present) (ran for re-election) Daniel J. Hilferty, former CEO of Independence Blue Cross Mike Kelly, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district (2011–present) (ran for re-election) Dan Laughlin, state senator for the 49th senatorial district (2017–present) Paul Mango, businessman and candidate for governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 Dan Meuser, U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Barletta) Jason Ortitay, state representative for the 46th legislative district (2015–present) (ran for re-election) Pat Toomey, U.S. senator
Debate + 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election Republican primary debate Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Non-invitee Lou Barletta Jake Corman Joe Gale Charlie Gerow Melissa Hart Doug Mastriano William McSwain Dave White 1 Apr 27, 2022 ABC 27/WPXI Dennis OwensLisa Sylvester
Endorsements
Polling
Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated LouBarletta JakeCorman DougMastriano WilliamMcSwain DaveWhite OtherMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsMay 3–16, 2022May 17, 202220.3%2.7%34.3%15.3%9.8%17.6%Mastriano +14.0 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error LouBarletta JakeCorman ScottMartin DougMastriano WilliamMcSwain DaveWhite Other UndecidedThe Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)May 14–16, 20221,195 (LV)± 2.9%25%––37%17%10%6%5%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeMay 14–15, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%22%2%–34%12%9%7%15%Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)May 12–15, 2022400 (LV)± 4.9%15%1%–29%18%8%6%24% May 13, 2022 Hart withdraws from the race May 12, 2022 Corman withdraws from the raceThe Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)May 6–8, 20221,080 (LV)± 3.0%18%5%–28%14%15%9%11%Fox NewsFox NewsMay 3–7, 20221,001 (LV)± 3.0%17%5%–29%13%11%9%15%Franklin & Marshall CollegeFranklin & Marshall CollegeApril 20 – May 1, 2022325 (RV)± 6.9%11%1%–20%12%8%11%34%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)April 11–13, 20221,074 (LV)± 3.0%19%3%–22%17%11%8%19%Franklin & Marshall CollegeFranklin & Marshall CollegeMarch 30 – April 10, 2022317 (RV)± 6.6%10%2%–15%12%5%14%40%Eagle Consulting Group (R)April 7–9, 2022502 (LV)± 4.4%11%––19%13%7%6%44%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeApril 3–4, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%20%4%–19%8%12%11%27%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeMarch 26–28, 2022372 (LV)± 5.0%12%2%–16%6%6%8%49%Fox NewsFox NewsMarch 2–6, 2022517 (LV)± 4.0%19%6%3%18%11%14%2%25%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)February 1–4, 20221,070 (LV)± 3.0%24%5%4%20%4%–14%29%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)November 9–10, 2021648 (LV)± 3.8%14%4%3%18%2%1%4%56%Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)September 24–30, 2021313 (LV)± 5.6%27%–6%–0%–6%60%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)May 10–12, 2021826 (LV)± 3.4%16%––19%––17%49%Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)February 16–24, 2021272 (LV)± 5.9%20%––11%3%–8%60%
Results
Lieutenant governor
Candidates Nominee Carrie DelRosso, state representative for HD-33 (2021–2022), Member of Oakmont Borough Council (2018–2021)
Eliminated in primary Jerry Carnicella, candidate for state representative for HD-72 in 2018 and 2020 and for state senator in SD-35 in 2016 Jeff Coleman, state representative for HD-60 (2001–2004), founder of Churchill Strategies Teddy Daniels, candidate for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district in 2020 Russ Diamond, state representative for HD-102 (2015–present) Chris Frye, Mayor of New Castle, Pennsylvania (2019–present) Angela Grant, school director for the Jersey Shore Area School District (2019–present) Rick Saccone, state representative for HD-39 (2011–2019), nominee for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district in 2018 Clarice Schillinger, executive director of Back to School PA PAC
Declined Brandon Flood, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons (2019–2021) (endorsed Coleman)
Endorsements
Results
Libertarian nomination The Libertarian Party nominees qualified for the general election ballot on August 1.
Governor Nominee Matt Hackenburg, aerospace computer engineer
Eliminated in board vote