Overview
- The only scheduled live, statewide debate took place in Harrisburg on Oct. 7 and gave voters a direct comparison of Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
- A Quinnipiac poll released Oct. 7 found Shapiro ahead about 59% to 34%, a roughly 25-point margin that reinforces his advantage as the campaign enters its final weeks.
- Shapiro defended an August executive order that requires local approval, developer transparency and on-site power generation for large data centers, while Garrity urged a pause and stronger local zoning protections.
- Campaign finance reports show a large gap with Shapiro raising about $13.3 million in the most recent period versus roughly $1.8 million for Garrity, limiting her ability to boost name recognition.
- The debate highlighted competing plans on education funding, the state budget, Medicaid and election rules, outcomes that could shape policy and local communities if control of the governor’s office and legislative priorities change after Nov. 3.