Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity sparred over gas prices, Medicaid, skill games and President Trump in the only debate of Pennsylvania's governor's race. The one-hour debate on October 7 in Harrisburg did little to change a race in which Shapiro has held a double-digit polling lead, according to Spotlight PA.
Nexstar Media Group hosted the debate at the WHTM ABC27 studio. Election Day is November 3.
Where does the race stand?
Shapiro is seeking a second term. Polls have consistently shown him ahead by double digits, and he has raised about $55 million since the start of last year, compared with a little over $5 million for Garrity, Spotlight PA reported. He has dramatically outspent her on television.
What did they say about gas prices and costs?
Garrity proposed a $750 summer gas rebate and a two-to-three-month pause on gas and diesel taxes, funded by the state's rainy day fund, and called Pennsylvania "the Saudi Arabia of natural gas." She also proposed eliminating the gross receipts tax on electricity.
Shapiro blamed high fuel prices on Trump's tariffs and the war with Iran — "a war that I oppose and a war that my opponent supports," he said, according to City & State Pennsylvania. He said he would consider suspending the gas tax but that the legislature would have to pass it.
How did they differ on Medicaid and the federal tax law?
Shapiro said the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" would cause more than 500,000 Pennsylvanians to lose health coverage and 143,000 to lose food assistance, and that no state can fully replace the lost federal funds.
Garrity praised the law's tax changes, including "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime." She backed the federal Medicaid changes and proposed requiring healthy adults without young children to work, train or volunteer 20 hours a week.
Key positions at a glance
| Issue | Shapiro (D) | Garrity (R) |
|---|---|---|
| Gas tax | Open to a suspension if lawmakers pass it | 2–3 month pause plus $750 rebate |
| Skill games | Tax at about 52%, like casino slots | Flat $500 monthly fee per terminal |
| Data centers | No moratorium; local communities can say no | Supports a moratorium |
| Federal school-choice tax credit | Decision "in the next few weeks" | Opt in on "Day 1" |
| Voter ID | Would sign a bill not based on "conspiracy theories" | Supports mandatory voter ID |
| NFL stadiums | Open to deals that protect taxpayers | Open to deals that are a "win-win" |
What were the sharpest exchanges?
- Harassment settlement. Garrity criticized a $295,000 taxpayer-funded settlement tied to former Shapiro aide Mike Vereb and its confidentiality. Shapiro said his office investigated promptly, Vereb resigned, and policies were changed afterward.
- Election certification. Shapiro said Garrity could not be trusted to certify results if her preferred candidate lost. Garrity called that "the most ridiculous thing" she had heard.
- RFK Jr. and vaccines. Shapiro linked Garrity to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over measles. Garrity said she appeared with Kennedy at a healthy-eating rally, that she is vaccinated and that she believes in vaccines.
- Spending. Garrity accused Shapiro of using the budget surplus to plug holes. Shapiro asked what she would cut, citing free school breakfast and apprenticeship funding. Garrity did not name specific cuts.
Did Shapiro address 2028?
Not directly. Shapiro sidestepped questions about a presidential run and did not commit to serving all four years if re-elected, Spotlight PA reported. He noted that Garrity had pledged not to leave office mid-term; Garrity said the pledge applied only to her first term.
On Israel, Shapiro said governors do not decide weapons shipments, that he wants antisemitism opposed, and that he hopes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is voted out.
Moderators asked no questions about energy production or the environment.
What happens next?
There are no more scheduled debates. Pennsylvania polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 3 — see when polls close in every state. For the national picture, see our midterms state of play.
