At Governor Josh Shapiro’s reelection launch, Pennsylvanians from across the Commonwealth shared how his leadership has delivered real results for their families, workplaces, and communities.

PENNSYLVANIA – Last week, Governor Josh Shapiro launched his reelection campaign with events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, where Pennsylvanians from all walks of life took the stage to share real stories of how Governor Shapiro’s leadership has made a difference in their lives.

Speakers included union workers, parents, students, small business owners, and community leaders who described their experiences with jobs created through historic economic development investments, tax cuts that lowered costs for seniors and families, record investments in education and mental health support, and a governor who shows up in moments of crisis and gets things done.

Governor Shapiro has delivered results on the issues that matter most for all Pennsylvanians — bringing people together to keep our Commonwealth moving forward.

Read below what speakers had to say about Governor Shapiro’s record of getting stuff done and the importance of reelecting him as Governor:

Kenny Holdsman, Co-Founder & CEO of Philadelphia Youth Basketball: “Here’s what I’d say about our Governor. He’s the consummate point guard. He’s leading our state government with vision, courage, energy, inclusivity, authenticity, humanity and humility. He is a servant leader who never, ever conflates the importance of the work with the importance of his own profile in the work. It is about the work and the issues. Our Governor believes that every person deserves the opportunity to succeed, especially young people and young adults who have historically had fewer shots to build a great, self-sufficient life.”

Heidi Freeland-Trail, Pennsylvania Mom: “Governor Shapiro has made it clear we are not going backwards. We are building forward towards a Pennsylvania where parents don’t have to choose between caring for their children and providing for them, where child care is accessible, high quality and affordable, and where reproductive freedom is protected, and where every family, no matter their zip code, has the support they need to thrive.” 

Savannah Black, Student at Murrell Dobbins High School: “One of the biggest benefits of CTE programming is increased student engagement. When students see how their education applies to real careers, they become more motivated to learn. When I hold a camera in my hand, I just think of it like a little baby, like I just want to cherish it, and I just want to take care of it, and I want it to grow with me.”

Lindsey Ramsey, Chief Operating Officer of Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania: “And I am so thankful, so thankful to have an administration that cares and that understands that if we come together as a community and support each other—that creates capacity for us to be able to love ourselves and in turn, it makes a full circle, and we will have a village here.” 

Cheyenne Tyler, Executive Director of Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh: “This administration understands that when we invest in intervention and prevention, fewer young people enter the legal system, fewer people become victims, and communities are stronger and safer for everyone. We need this administration to continue our fight for the next four years.”

Daryll Thomas, Owner of Philly Cutz: “J walked around with a felony for twenty-some-odd years. When ‘Safe Streets’ came along, he didn’t drive his car. He obeyed the law. He did not get a traffic ticket, he did not get a parking ticket…and he did all of that under the weight of a felony. When this was presented to our Governor, when he visited the shop, he said, ‘Darryl, that’s a travesty—something has to be done about that,’ and that’s what he did. He got shit done.”

Steve Mazza, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Representative: “Shapiro has consistently partnered with organized labor to ensure workers benefit directly from Pennsylvania’s growth. That’s a living wage. That’s the ability to retire with dignity.”

Timo Balas, Carpenter’s Union Apprentice: “I cannot say all the good things that have happened to me since I joined the Carpenters Union…It’s benefits, it’s a good pay, it’s a retirement, it’s security for my daughter. Governor Shapiro has made all this happen and he’s going to continue to do it.”

Ryan Boyer, Building Manager for the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trade Counsel: “So when you ask why organized labor and unions support Josh Shapiro, it’s because he got stuff done for us, and he’s going to get stuff done for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We need a fighter, and we need a journeyman in the Governor’s office, and that is Josh Shapiro.” 

Darrin Kelly, President of the Allegheny Labor Council: “This governor that we have right now knows the most important infrastructure of this state is its people.” 

Eugene DePasquale, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair: “We’ve seen over the last four years what this Governor can do when it comes to getting stuff done: cutting red tape so businesses have a better chance to start and to thrive; making historic investments into public education so that every child in Pennsylvania has an equal opportunity to succeed; and making smart and tough decisions on public safety to make sure that every Pennsylvanian is feeling safe. That’s the leadership we have under Governor Shapiro.” 

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker: “There is a reason why this moment is so important. There are a lot of people right now who are disenchanted with government. They want to see a government that they can literally touch and feel in their own daily lives, and you can only have that when you have a leader who is committed to getting stuff done…In any role he has ever held as it relates to public service, Josh Shapiro has delivered for Pennsylvania.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor: “We need to reelect Governor Shapiro because we have to defend our freedoms from Donald Trump and his allies over the next few years. These are individuals that believe in gutting our healthcare, terrorizing our communities, making everyday life unaffordable for working class families in Pennsylvania, and making life less fair for those Pennsylvanians. So we need to send our Governor back to Harrisburg to fight for us, for our families, for our children, for the future of Pennsylvania.”

Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County Executive: “Last April, we had an incredible, unprecedented wind storm, and we had the most widespread power outages that this county had ever seen. And he called me right as I was walking into the press conference to declare a disaster emergency. And he didn’t just say, ‘What do you need? How can I help?’ But he said, ‘Give me a few hours. I’ll be there.’ And he got right on the ground, right? He shows up.”

Vincent Hughes, State Senator: “Josh Shapiro has given us every reason to get reelected to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has put the work in, and he has earned our support. Josh Shapiro has delivered for us…We don’t need a Trump MAGA Republican in the Governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Keep that stuff in Washington, DC. We don’t need that in Harrisburg,

Jordan Harris, State Representative: “Dr. King said it simply like this: Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expedience asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time where a man or woman must do something that is not safe, nor politically correct or popular, but they do it because their conscience tells them that it’s right. I’m here because I believe that Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis will do the work that is necessary—not because it’s popular, not because it’s safe, but because, God damn it, it’s the right thing to do to save America. I’m with Josh Shapiro because we need a leader to speak truth to power in this moment.”

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