ERIE, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered the keynote address at the Erie County Democratic Party’s Annual Spring Primary Dinner, joining local leaders and Democrats from across Erie County. The Governor highlighted the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s record of delivering real results for Erie County, emphasizing investments in education, economic growth, and public safety that are moving Erie — and the entire Commonwealth — forward.

The Shapiro-Davis Administration has gotten stuff done for Erie County, including a Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit for more than 25,000 people in Erie County and a nearly 30% increase in funding for Erie public schools. Together, Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis are focused on building better schools, safer communities, and a more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

At a time when the Trump Administration continues to threaten fundamental freedoms and make it harder for working families to get ahead, Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis are standing up to the chaos, cruelty, and corruption coming out of Washington.

Read below for key excerpts from Governor Josh Shapiro’s remarks in Erie County:

“Erie County not only knows how to elect great leaders, you know that you play a pivotal role all across our Commonwealth. The ultimate swing county in the ultimate swing state, you step up and do your part. […]

I wanted to come back tonight to thank you for giving me the honor to serve as the 48th Governor of this great Commonwealth, to go out and work my tail off every single day for you here in Erie County, throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania and all across this great Commonwealth, to deliver tangible results, because I am someone who believes that government can be a force for good in people’s lives, and I know you believe that too. You’re proud members of the Erie Democratic Party, not just to win an election, but to get the chance to govern after you win that election, to do good for people. I fundamentally believe that if you give a kid a good school and a safe community to live in, a job that she wants in a neighborhood that she can afford, in a place that respects her for who she is, that’s a recipe for success. And that’s the work that we’re doing every single day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I’m proud that on our watch we’ve made historic investments in public education. Schools here in Erie County have seen a 30% increase in funds….We’ve invested in hiring 2,000 more police officers across our Commonwealth, and at the same time, have invested over $800 million in violence prevention initiatives, including tens of millions of dollars right here throughout the city of Erie….We’ve seen more economic development during my term than the previous fifteen years combined in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. […] [We’ve created] good schools, safe communities, and an economy that works for all in communities where you can afford to live. We’ve made this progress while treating people with respect, while looking at our fellow Pennsylvanians and saying, no matter what you look like or where you come from, who you love or who you pray to, you’re going to have a shot here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. […] [Donald Trump’s] policies are designed to create so much chaos that you just simply don’t want to engage. But I know in this room, we have people that will not let that win, that are going to continue to stand up and fight back. Because we see it, we understand that they are making America less safe, less free, and a place with less opportunity. And I believe this is a moment where we can’t give up hope…This is a moment where we got to engage, where we’ve got to do our part, where we got to do more. […]

The way you organize over these next six months, the way you vote in this midterm election, has the power to change the trajectory of this country to be a check on that chaos and cruelty, to be a stamp of approval on what we are building here in this Commonwealth, to honor those who came before us and did this work, and to now carry it forward with our own imprint on democracy. This is our moment. Erie, I came tonight because I know you know how to do this work. I came tonight to say thank you. I came tonight to let you know how much I appreciate what you’ve done and what I know you are capable of doing as we go forward. I will be there with you every step of the way. I will be working my tail off for every single Democrat up and down this ballot — and I’m confident if we do this work together over these next six months, we will win elections, we will change the trajectory of this country, and we will continue to build a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is warm and welcoming for all.”

Read and watch more about Governor Shapiro’s appearance in Erie County:

Jet 24 Action News: “The Erie Democratic Party joined together on the bayfront to hear from their leader in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke at the Democrats’ spring dinner event at the bayfront Sheraton. Governor Shapiro spoke about issues facing people in Pennsylvania as well as issues facing the members of the party looking to win in the fall. Candidates and the party’s leaders joined with union members to secure common goals for the upcoming election.”

Erie News Now: “State leaders focused on the economy, education, and legislative priorities during tonight’s event. Speakers also highlighted voter engagement and the party’s goals ahead of the next election cycle.”

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