Pennsylvania Governor 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them
Josh Shapiro (Democrat), Stacy Garrity (Republican) and Ken Krawchuk (Libertarian) are the candidates for governor of Pennsylvania in the November 3, 2026 general election. Josh Shapiro is the incumbent. Semblen has analyzed 75 ads in this race; 11 used at least one manipulation technique, most often glittering generalities and loaded language.
Josh Shapiro (DEM, incumbent), Stacy Garrity (REP), Ken Krawchuk (LIB).
On the ballot as listed by Ballotpedia. 75 ads analyzed, 11 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08.
$621,800–764,029 on all ads, $98,700–126,382 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“make your dreams come true” — Glittering Generalities, paid for by Josh Shapiro
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
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Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 15% of ads.
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Money in this race
Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Pennsylvania's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.
The ads
75 ads, newest first.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-10-082 variantsspend $500–69810,100–15,998 impressions
It’s official: I JUST launched my reelection campaign here in battleground Pennsylvania. We’re fighting for freedom and democracy in the nation’s closest swing state. Can I count on you to become a Founding Donor?
Hey, before you scroll away, I need a quick favor.
It’s critical that we finish this race strong. Will you please pitch in just $5 and help us out? Thanks!
False Urgency: The capitalized 'JUST' and 'It's official' create a sense of immediacy and urgency around the campaign launch — for example: I JUST launched
Glittering Generalities: Vague emotionally positive terms like 'freedom' and 'democracy' are invoked as rhetorical flourish without any specific policy substance — for example: fighting for freedom and democracy
Bandwagon Appeal: The label 'Founding Donor' implies joining an exclusive founding group, pressuring the reader to conform and not be left out of a prestigious movement — for example: become a Founding Donor
False Urgency
Glittering Generalities
Bandwagon Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Citizens Alliancefrom 2026-10-06spend $0–991,000–1,999 impressions
📹 Everywhere you go, you’re being watched...
Josh Shapiro’s regime has ushered in the mass surveillance state so that he can watch you when you go to Church, your doctor's appointment, and the gun range.
The Fourth Amendment was written to protect Americans from unreasonable government searches and surveillance, and Citizens Alliance is on the ground right now knocking 1.85 MILLION doors to protect our constitutional right to privacy.
🚪 Pennsylvania: 750,000 doors
🚪 Arizona: 500,000 doors
🚪 New Hampshire: 400,000 doors
🚪 Nevada: 200,000 doors
Join the fight to STOP Shapiro’s mass surveillance state by signing up below and seeing how you can get involved today!
Appeal to Fear: The sentence creates anxiety about pervasive surveillance to trigger an emotional response — for example: 'Everywhere you go, you're being watched'
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The absolute claim that one is watched everywhere at all times is an overstatement beyond what evidence supports — for example: 'Everywhere you go'
Loaded Language: The word 'regime' is used instead of neutral terms like 'administration' or 'government' to cast Shapiro's leadership as authoritarian and illegitimate — for example: 'regime'
Conspiracy Appeal: The sentence implies a hidden sinister plot by a government official to secretly surveil citizens in private, protected activities, suggesting a shadowy agenda — for example: 'mass surveillance state so that he can watch you'
Appeal to Prejudice: The specific targeting of church, doctor's appointments, and gun ranges invokes in-group identity markers (religious, health-conscious, gun-owning citizens) to make the audience feel personally targeted — for example: "Church, your doctor's appointment, and the gun range".
False Urgency: The phrase 'today' combined with an imperative call to action creates artificial time pressure to prevent deliberate consideration — for example: 'get involved today'
Name Calling: Attributing a 'mass surveillance state' directly to Shapiro by name functions as a derogatory label to discredit him rather than address specific policies — for example: 'Shapiro's mass surveillance state'
Appeal to Fear
Exaggeration/Hyperbole
Loaded Language
Conspiracy Appeal
Appeal to Prejudice
False Urgency
Name Calling
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER PBCfrom 2026-10-06spend $0–996,000–6,999 impressions
Garrity is challenging one of the most influential figures in modern Pennsylvania politics, Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a midterm year where Republicans already face strong national headwinds.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-10-05 to 2026-10-07spend $1,000–1,49915,000–19,999 impressions
Josh Shapiro here. We're just a couple weeks from Election Day, and soon I'll be back on the bus touring Pennsylvania.
Trump's driven gas prices up, so it's going to take a little more to keep us fueled.
Will you chip in $2 to help us get to a community near you?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-10-05 to 2026-10-07spend $700–7999,000–9,999 impressions
Hey, it's Josh Shapiro. My favorite part of this campaign is getting on the bus and touring Pennsylvania, meeting folks where they are. Between that and what Trump's done to gas prices, I could use some help keeping us fueled up.
Will you chip in $2 to help us get the bus to your community?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-10-05 to 2026-10-08spend $25,000–29,999350,000–399,999 impressions
On Wednesday night, I take the debate stage against Trump's hand-picked candidate for governor. I need your help getting our message out. Will you chip in $1 right now?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justicefrom 2026-10-02 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1984,000–5,998 impressions
Gas is almost $5 per gallon in Vestal. It is the responsibility of all elected officials to ease the financial burden on working families, whenever possible. Virtual proceedings have been allowed in all civil proceedings and most criminal proceedings in local courts in New York State since 2020. I promise to bring the Vestal Town Court into the 21st Century and make the court easier to use, through virtual proceedings and expanded court hours.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Friends of Hadley Haasfrom 2026-10-02 to 2026-10-082 variantsspend $0–1987,000–8,998 impressions
Valerie Gaydos claims to be on-board with Governor Josh Shapiro’s agenda – while at the same time publicly criticizing and working against him.
She called Governor Shapiro’s plans “fiscally irresponsible and unaffordable,” and claimed “he can't be trusted.” Now she wants us to believe she’ll work with him to lower costs for working families.
Valerie Gaydos is the wrong person to work with Governor Shapiro. Vote her out this November.
Name Calling: Labeling Gaydos as 'the wrong person' is a dismissive, derogatory characterization used to discredit her without substantive argument — for example: the wrong person.
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts.
Name Calling
Loaded Language
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Brad for PAfrom 2026-10-02 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
Brad Chambers is proud to be endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Brad is going to work with Governor Shapiro to make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Together, they’ll:
✅ Hold data centers accountable
✅ Stand with our public schools
✅ Support job growth and small businesses
Join Brad Chambers supporters and vote for him this November!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Friends of Sara Agertonfrom 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-082 variantsspend $0–198200–1,998 impressions
Sara Agerton is proud to be endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Sara is going to work with Governor Shapiro to help him pass his agenda to make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Sara is proud to support the Governor's efforts to:
✅ Fully fund our public schools
✅ Support job growth and business
✅ Invest in infrastructure across Pennsylvania
Join Governor Josh Shapiro in supporting Sara Agerton this November!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Friends of Kristin Eganfrom 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1981,100–2,998 impressions
Kristin Egan is proud to be endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Kristin is going to work with Governor Shapiro to help him pass his agenda to make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Kristin is proud to support the Governor's efforts to:
✅ Hold data centers accountable
✅ Stand with our public schools
✅ Support job growth and small businesses
Join Governor Josh Shapiro in supporting Kristin Egan this November!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Bryan Allen for PAfrom 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1983,000–4,998 impressions
Bryan Allen is proud to be endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Bryan is going to work with Governor Shapiro to help him pass his agenda to make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Bryan is proud to support the Governor's efforts to:
✅ Hold data centers accountable
✅ Stand with our public schools
✅ Support job growth and small businesses
Join Governor Josh Shapiro in supporting Bryan Allen this November!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Friends of Hadley Haasfrom 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1983,100–4,998 impressions
Hadley Haas is proud to be endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Hadley is going to work with Governor Shapiro to help him pass his agenda to make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Hadley is proud to support the Governor's efforts to:
✅ Hold data centers accountable
✅ Stand with our public schools
✅ Support job growth and small businesses
Join Governor Josh Shapiro in supporting Hadley Haas this November!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justicefrom 2026-09-292 variantsspend $100–29816,000–17,998 impressions
*Important Note from Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justice*
I spent the night knocking on doors with my wonderful wife and daughters to talk about my candidacy with Vestal residents. My oldest daughter and I have been walking and knocking on hundreds of doors for 6 weeks now. I want to take a minute to express my appreciation for the wonderful community that we are a part of. Tonight, two Vestal residents invited us into their home, thanked my daughters for their hard work, and gave them a hug. We have had no negative interactions at the doors (and we’ve knocked on at least 1,000). I have knocked on the doors of democrats, independents, and republicans. Most have taken the time to speak to us about my plans to make the court easier to use. My daughter has learned an important civics lesson about how our democracy works and how we can speak respectfully to each other while discussing different ideas instead of appealing to the lowest common denominator, or engaging in ad hominem personal attacks like too many of our politicians do today. Thank you Vestal, truly. The best part of this campaign has been meeting all of you.
Also thank you Funky Beez for the great food as always!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATIONfrom 2026-09-282 variantsspend $900–1,09814,000–19,998 impressions
Pennsylvania families have already lived through government overreach: closed schools, shuttered businesses, and sweeping mandates.
Now, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Department of Health has proposed new regulations that would expand government power over Pennsylvania families. After widespread public opposition, the administration withdrew the proposal—but has already said it plans to submit a new version.
Pennsylvanians must send a clear message to Governor Shapiro: stand down. Do not bring back rules that threaten our rights and freedoms.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'government overreach' is an emotionally charged political term used to frame pandemic-era policies negatively rather than neutrally — for example: 'government overreach'
Appeal to Fear: The enumeration of harms (closed schools, shuttered businesses, sweeping mandates) is designed to evoke anxiety about government power and prime the audience to fear its recurrence — for example: 'closed schools, shuttered businesses, and sweeping mandates'
Appeal to Prejudice: The call to 'Pennsylvanians' as a unified in-group frames the issue as a collective identity matter, implying all Pennsylvanians share one position — for example: Pennsylvanians must send a clear message
False Urgency: The imperative 'must send a clear message' and the command 'stand down' create artificial urgency demanding immediate collective action — for example: must send a clear message to Governor Shapiro: stand down
Glittering Generalities: 'Rights and freedoms' are invoked as vague emotionally positive concepts without specifying which rights or freedoms are at stake — for example: threaten our rights and freedoms
Loaded Language
Appeal to Fear
Appeal to Prejudice
False Urgency
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-09-28 to 2026-10-082 variantsspend $76,000–86,998980,000–1,089,998 impressions
Hey – It's Gov. Josh Shapiro here. I'm standing with my friend Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to talk about what's at stake here in Pennsylvania. I'm one of the last statewide Democrats left in this Commonwealth, and they're throwing everything they've got at us. Will you rush $1 or whatever you can before midnight?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Gun Owners of America, Inc.from 2026-09-28spend $500–59940,000–44,999 impressions
Gun Owners of America proudly endorses Stacy Garrity for Governor!
Stacy Garrity is the Gun Owners' Choice Candidate for PA Governor:
Scored a perfect 100% on our GOA candidate survey – a true Second Amendment champion!
Decorated combat veteran and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel.
Supports Constitutional Carry and strengthening Pennsylvania's firearms preemption laws, bringing anti-gun cities like Philadelphia into check.
She's facing Governor Josh Shapiro, whose anti-gun record is atrocious:
Opposed Constitutional Carry publicly
Ended concealed carry reciprocity with Virginia as AG (2018) – no good reason
Harassed PA's largest gun show promoter to ban legal P-80 kits (2021)
Issued unconstitutional opinion reclassifying home-built parts as firearms (2019)
Led states pushing federal "ghost gun" ban
Pushed universal registration checks, gun buybacks, limits on "military-grade weapons"
Took $2M from anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg
We can't let Shapiro keep attacking our freedoms!
Vote Stacy Garrity for Governor on November 3rd!
Support her campaign: Donate, volunteer, share! https://garrityforpa.com/
Paid for by Gun Owners of America, Inc. Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'true Second Amendment champion' uses vague, emotionally positive language to confer legitimacy without substantive argument — for example: 'true Second Amendment champion'
Loaded Language: The word 'champion' is emotionally charged and chosen to trigger a positive reaction rather than convey neutral factual information — for example: 'champion'
Name Calling: Combining 'anti-gun' with 'billionaire' functions as a derogatory label to discredit the donor and by association the recipient, rather than addressing the substance of the donation — for example: anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg
Appeal to Fear: The sentence implies an ongoing threat to fundamental rights, creating anxiety to motivate action against Shapiro — for example: 'We can't let Shapiro keep attacking our freedoms'
False Urgency: The phrase 'We can't let' combined with 'keep attacking' implies an ongoing and escalating threat requiring immediate action — for example: 'We can't let Shapiro keep attacking'
Glittering Generalities
Loaded Language
Name Calling
Appeal to Fear
False Urgency
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Zachary Petrakovichfrom 2026-09-26 to 2026-09-28spend $0–991,000–1,999 impressions
Attended the State GOP Dinner last night and was honored to sit with PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Jason Richey, and Scott Presler.
Let's get out and vote big on November 3rd 🇺🇲
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justicefrom 2026-09-23 to 2026-09-25spend $0–991,000–1,999 impressions
Access to Justice should not be a partisan political issue - that’s why so many current and former local elected officials from both political parties have endorsed Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justice. These officials support Josh’s common sense reforms to make the Vestal Town Court easier to use through expanded evening hours and virtual appearance options. Below are a few of these officials.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justicefrom 2026-09-23 to 2026-09-24spend $0–99100–999 impressions
Access to Justice is not a partisan political issue - that’s why so many current and former local elected officials from both political parties have endorsed Josh Shapiro for Vestal Town Justice. These officials support Josh’s common sense reforms to make the Vestal Town Court easier to use through expanded evening hours and virtual appearance options. Below are a few of these officials.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-09-22 to 2026-10-02spend $25,000–29,999350,000–399,999 impressions
Hey, it's Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA). My final end-of-the-quarter deadline of the entire campaign is here. So you will never, ever hear me ask for an end-of-quarter deadline in this governor's race, and all I need from you right now is $1.
If you could pitch in $1 right now, it would make a huge difference. Thank you!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Glittering Generalities: The phrase invokes vague, emotionally positive notions of hard work and dreams without any substantive policy content — for example: make your dreams come true and a governor on your side.
Appeal to Prejudice: The sentence flatters the audience by implying they are deserving insiders who need a champion on their side, creating an in-group identity around the implied candidate — for example: 'You deserve a governor on your side'
Glittering Generalities
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Appeal to Fear: Acknowledges difficult times to create a sense of anxiety that primes the audience to be receptive to the speaker's solutions — for example: times are tough
Card Stacking: Selectively highlights positive actions (tax cuts, fighting rate hikes) without providing context, counterarguments, or evidence of effectiveness, presenting a one-sided picture — for example: cut taxes 10 times and fought back against utility rate hikes
Glittering Generalities: Uses a vague, emotionally positive framing about keeping money in people's pockets without substantive detail about actual outcomes — for example: keep more money in your pockets
Appeal to Fear
Card Stacking
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-09-193 variantsspend $1,800–2,49730,100–36,997 impressions
Josh Shapiro here. Donald Trump and his enablers like my opponent, they're doing everything they can to undermine our freedom and undermine our democracy.
And I'm standing up for you. I'm standing up for our Constitution. I'm standing up for all Pennsylvanians.
I need your help.
If you could rush a $1 recurring contribution to my reelection campaign right now, it would make a huge difference.
Join our effort to protect our freedoms and our democracy.
$1.
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts. — for example: undermine our freedom and undermine our democracy.
Name Calling: Derogatory labels used to discredit a person or group rather than address their arguments. — for example: his enablers like my opponent.
Repetition: The word 'undermine' is deliberately repeated twice in close succession to reinforce the negative framing of the opponent's actions — for example: 'undermine our freedom and undermine our democracy'
Glittering Generalities: References to 'freedom' and 'democracy' are used as vague, emotionally positive terms without specifying what concrete actions or policies are actually at stake — for example: 'our freedom and undermine our democracy'
Transfer: Invoking the Constitution borrows legitimacy from a revered national symbol to validate the speaker's position without specifying what constitutional principle is at stake — for example: 'standing up for our Constitution'
Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase 'join our effort' implies a collective movement already underway and pressures the reader to conform by participating, suggesting that others are already involved — for example: 'Join our effort'
Loaded Language
Name Calling
Repetition
Glittering Generalities
Transfer
Bandwagon Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Shapirofrom 2026-09-19 to 2026-10-02spend $40,000–44,999500,000–599,999 impressions
Hey you! Yes, you! Before you scroll away:
I'm running for reelection in the most competitive swing state in the country, and he can’t pull off a victory without the help of grassroots supporters like you.
Will you chip in right now to help us reach thousands of undecided voters and win on Election Day?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it ran mostly in PA and names a nominee for governor — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office (a U.S. Senate or House campaign included), or it also names PA's Senate nominees, in which case it is on the Senate race's page. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
The candidates are the ones certified for the November ballot, from the source linked at the top. Governors are state offices, so there are no FEC filings behind this page: no money figures, and outside groups are placed on a side only when they are a campaign or a party committee.
Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
A technique is a specific manipulative move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. The check runs once and its result is shown to everyone afterwards. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.
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