Over the last 13 months of this campaign, I spent a lot of time criss-crossing the Commonwealth — and I’ve done a whole lot of listening, and a whole lot of learning, and a whole lot of growing as a result of those conversations. You’ve helped me by sharing your hopes and fears, your dreams and your worries. You have helped me become a better man.

Voters from Gen-Z to our seniors, Pennsylvanians from all different walks of life, have given me the honor of a lifetime to give me the chance to serve you as Pennsylvania’s next Governor. 

While my name was on the ballot, it was always your rights on the line. I believe this Governor’s race was a test for each of us to decide what kind of Commonwealth and what kind of country that we want to live in. It was a test of whether or not we valued our rights and freedoms, and whether we believed in opportunity for all Pennsylvanians. 

I humbly write to you as your Governor-elect knowing that you met this moment.

We showed in this campaign that no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to, you are valued here in Pennsylvania. The good people of Pennsylvania won. A woman’s right to choose won. Your right to vote won, in the face of all the lies in the conspiracies and baseless claims. 

Real freedom won in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The kind of real freedom where we give people the opportunity to start a small business, to marry who you love, and to live in a Commonwealth that respects you for who you are. Thanks to all of you, in the birthplace of our democracy in the cradle of liberty, we defended real freedom. 

In this election, we joined together behind three simple truths that have sustained our nation over these last 246 years. We value our freedom, we cherish our democracy, and we love this country. Because all across this Commonwealth, you chose to take off the red jersey and the blue jersey and wear the Pennsylvania jersey, a jersey that brings us together. 

I spoke a lot about my faith in this campaign. My family and my faith call me to service, and they drive me forward. My scripture teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it. Each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, get in the game, and to do our part. 

So I want you to know — the job is not done. The task is not complete. With our feet firmly planted on a foundation of our democracy, our hearts more open than they were even just yesterday, and our eyes looking ahead, we begin to work together to move this Commonwealth forward. 

I want to say thank you to the thousands of people from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and every one of these United States who invested in this campaign, and believed in us. I want to thank the men and women of organized labor, who were always there for me. I want to say a special thanks to the many Republicans across this Commonwealth, many of whom told me they were voting for a Democrat for the first time. I want you to know that I not only appreciate your vote, but I’m humbled by it. 

And of course, I want to say thank you to the love of my life since the ninth grade, Pennsylvania’s next First Lady, Lori Shapiro. Lori has blessed me with her love and we have been blessed with four amazing children. Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. I love you.

Pennsylvania, we showed how to build a coalition to win a race in a big way. And tomorrow we begin the hard work of building a coalition to govern this commonwealth and move us forward. I am profoundly grateful for this honor.

Governor-elect of Pennsylvania