Governor Josh Shapiro Announces 2026 Re-Election Campaign

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Governor Josh Shapiro Announces 2026 Re-Election Campaign
Date: January 10, 2026
Guests: Governor Josh Shapiro (PA), Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme: Governance Over Spectacle – Governor Josh Shapiro’s Achievements, Re-Election Bid, and Contrast to National Politics

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Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has just launched his 2026 re-election campaign. The Meiselas brothers invite Governor Shapiro to reflect on his administration’s bipartisan achievements, offer his vision for Pennsylvania’s future, and draw sharp contrasts between his "normal," results-oriented approach and the chaos characterizing national politics, particularly under the Trump–Vance administration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of U.S. Politics and Approval Ratings

[02:13]

• Ben Meiselas opens by highlighting national polling that shows Donald Trump’s sinking approval—“only 4%” net in Texas—and widespread American concern over inflation.
• Democrats are surging in swing states and among independents, while policies such as military action abroad are deeply unpopular.
• Trump is contrasted with high-achieving, bipartisan governors, especially Shapiro.

Quote:

“I want to talk about normalcy... Because I am just sick and tired of the drama...the posts every morning, the lies to the American people, the attacks on our country by this Trump regime. Speaking about good governance, normalcy, and getting stuff done, let's bring in Governor Shapiro...”
— Ben Meiselas [05:47]

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2. Governor Shapiro’s Bipartisan Record and Philosophy

[06:05]

• Governor Josh Shapiro describes his philosophy: government as a force for good, getting results regardless of legislative divisions.
  • Record investments in public education and public safety.
  • Only growing economy in the Northeast U.S.
  • Seven tax cuts.
  • Success working across the aisle: “You can bring people together and you can get stuff done.”
  • Clear contrast between Pennsylvania’s calm, competent leadership and D.C.’s “chaos and cruelty.”

Quote:

“I just believe government can be a force for good in people's lives and it's incumbent upon me and others in positions of authority to deliver for folks. That's what we've done… We've shown here in Pennsylvania you can bring people together and you can get stuff done.”
— Josh Shapiro [06:13]

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3. What Should Government Look Like?

[07:27]

• The hosts critique the national political spectacle and reality-TV style drama.
  • Ben calls for a return to the basics: “Is the government delivering affordable health care? What are they doing for my education? …for my family?”

[08:25]

• Shapiro reflects on Pennsylvanians’ core desires: good schools, safe communities, economic opportunity, and working government.
  • Stresses the simplicity of the public’s needs: “basic blocking and tackling of government.”
  • Emphasizes bipartisan and independent support.
  • Reiterates need for “calm, competent leadership.”

Quote:

“If you actually stop and listen... folks basically want the same few things: good schools, safe communities, economic opportunities. This is not rocket science... But if you really stop and listen, that's what people want from their government.”
— Josh Shapiro [08:31]

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4. Contrasting Leadership: Trump–Vance Vs. Shapiro

[09:52]

• The hosts play a clip of Vice President J.D. Vance holding a combative press conference.
  • Vance lashes out at the press regarding the Minneapolis incident.
  • The hosts and Shapiro denounce this “WWE spectacle.”

[10:59]

• Shapiro’s reaction:
  • Calls Vance "profoundly and pathetically a weak human being.”
  • Accuses Vance of serving only Trump and gaslighting the public.
  • Advocates for calm, thorough investigations in tragic matters, recalling his own experience as Attorney General.
  • Blames the national admin for “making a community less safe... instead of creating more safety and security.”

Quote:

“What we need right now is not idiotic gaslighting from the sitting Vice President of the United States, but we need a real thorough investigation as to what occurred.”
— Josh Shapiro [11:29]

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5. Health Care Crisis in Pennsylvania

[13:20]

• The hosts ask about the impact of expiring ACA subsidies and rising premiums.
  • Shapiro outlines the consequences:
    • Projected 510,000 Pennsylvanians losing healthcare.
    • Crisis blamed on Trump–Vance tax cuts for the wealthy and refusal to extend ACA subsidies.
    • Budget cuts impossible for states to offset.
    • Families forced to choose between doubled premiums and putting food on the table.

Quote:

“I've talked to folks who are now having to choose between paying double for their premiums or being able to afford to feed their kids. This is not the way it should be in the United States of America.”
— Josh Shapiro [14:32]

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6. Shapiro’s Vision for 2026 and Beyond

[15:11]

• Goals for the next term:
  • Raise minimum wage to $15/hr.
  • Pass the Fairness Act (LGBTQ legal protections).
  • Further tax cuts for working Pennsylvanians.
  • Hold exploitative actors accountable.
  • Flip four U.S. House seats and win a PA legislative trifecta.

Quote:

“We got a lot more work to do and I'm focused on doing that work. And I'm focused in this campaign on not just winning reelection for me... but on lifting others up.”
— Josh Shapiro [15:25]

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7. Call to Action

[16:18]

• Shapiro invites listeners to join his grassroots campaign:
  • Visit JoshShapiro.org or text “NORMAL” to 32210.

Memorable Outro Moment:

“There you. There you go. You know, I'm, it's good thing I'm a media guy and not a campaign normal. Very normal.”
— Ben Meiselas, joking about the “normal” campaign slogan [16:29]

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We’re all about getting stuff done... It's a great contrast, frankly, with the chaos and the cruelty and the corruption we're seeing in D.C.”
  — Josh Shapiro [06:33]
• “You know what I think we need more of in our politics today? Government that just simply works for people, that gets stuff done and that eliminates the chaos and instead has calm, competent leadership.”
  — Josh Shapiro [08:57]
• “J.D. Vance knows better, man. He should be ashamed of himself...”
  — Josh Shapiro [12:52]

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:13] – Opening discussion: Trump’s polling, contrast with PA's success
• [06:05] – Shapiro joins, outlines bipartisan Pennsylvania achievements
• [08:25] – What citizens want from government; the basics, bipartisan appeal
• [10:29] – J.D. Vance’s press conference & Shapiro’s scathing response
• [13:54] – Pennsylvania’s health care crisis post-ACA subsidy cuts
• [15:17] – Shapiro’s platform for re-election and legislative plans
• [16:18] – Call to action for campaign supporters

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Tone & Style

• Conversational, direct, and humorous (“baseline normal” running joke)
• Emphasis on practical governance, bipartisan cooperation, and rejecting political spectacle

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For New Listeners

This episode shows why Shapiro is considered a rising Democratic star: clear, bipartisan results and a laser focus on “normal” government—contrasting starkly with the performative chaos of national MAGA politics. The MeidasTouch brothers’ trademark comedic banter balances sharp analysis and in-depth policy discussion.

Perfect for: Listeners interested in state-level leadership, practical governance, and the road to restoring civility and effectiveness in American democracy.

Transcript

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[Host/Interviewer]

Donald Trump just got a rude awakening as he's seeing his 2026 polling numbers. By the way, in Places like Texas, where his approval in Texas is only 4% and net negative 6 in Texas, his overall approval according to the latest YouGov poll in 2026 is at 41%. And if you look at the issues right now, more Americans are saying inflation is their number one issue than at the same point in 2023, 2024. While Donald Trump claims that I solved inflation, I've eliminated it. It's not what the American people are seeing. More people say it's their number one issue than they did when Trump was running against Biden. Then you have the generic ballot polling among independents, where you have Democrats taking a commanding lead over Republicans, up by about eight points there, nine points there. Then it is what's his overall approval on the issue of inflation? Only 32% in generic polling in Arizona, of all places, Democrats are soaring ahead right there. And Republicans were leading that in 2024. You take a look at even Trump's favorite pollster, Ras Moussin, who always gives Donald Trump what he want. Donald Trump's disapproval there is 54%. Then, when you break down some of the issues, would you support the U.S. buying Greenland? Overwhelmingly, Americans are opposed. Do you support us taking military force against Greenland? Only 8% of Americans approve the approval of ICE. 52% disapprove of ICE, and most Americans call in for not funding ICE, but defunding of ICE. You take a look at whether or not the American people believe that Donald Trump needs approval for military action in Venezuela. 69% says he needs military approval. Should the US be involved in other countries just because they don't cooperate with the United States? 67% of Americans oppose. 62% oppose further military action in Venezuela. 62% say basically, America should have not much or no involvement in Venezuela. 72% of Americans describe the economy as poor or fair, according to the latest YouGov poll. But then you look at a state like Pennsylvania, where you have their governor, Governor Shapiro, who's got a plus 27 approval, ultra popular on a bipartisan basis. And you look at Pennsylvania, you can see how a governor who gets things done and actually focuses on the people, how that works out, and contrast that to Donald Trump's tanking approval. So I want to talk about normalcy. I want to talk about what it means to. Because I am just sick and tired of the drama, the ballrooms, the ranting and raving, the. The posts every morning, the lies to the American people, the attacks on our country by this Trump regime. Speaking about good governance, normalcy, and getting stuff Done. Let's bring in Governor Shapiro. The great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was announced the run for reelection. Wow. Time flies. And in this term you've accomplished so much. I mean, whether it was rebuilding the i95 in 12 days with Pennsylvania union workers, record funding for schools, universal school breakfast, in a time where we're seeing manufacturing jobs across the country decreasing, you've been increasing jobs and improving the job out in the commonwealth. Just talk to us about it. Because you've got a divided legislature too, so you got to contend with a lot of stuff right there.

[Josh Shapiro]

Yeah. Well, first off, thanks for the intro. I don't know that my kids would think I'm normal, but I appreciate that you do. And by the way, anybody watching, if you Text normal to 32210, you can get involved in our campaign. And so I'd love to have you involved. And you know, I appreciate the fact that you noted that we're all about getting stuff done. I mean, I just believe government can be a force for good in people's lives and it's incumbent upon me and others in positions of authority to deliver for folks. That's what we've done. We've invested record amounts in public education and public safety and things are working. Test scores are up and crime is down. We've invested in economic development. We've now got the only growing economy in the northeastern part of the United States. And we've invested in putting money back in people's pockets. We actually cut taxes seven times. And you noted that I've got a divided legislature. So I've found ways to work with not only my fellow Democrats, but Republicans as well. We're showing that here in Pennsylvania you can bring people together and you can get stuff done. And that's a great contrast, frankly, with the chaos and the cruelty and the corruption we're seeing in D.C. so we're going to focus on doing it the Pennsylvania way, doing our work to not just continue to deliver for the good people of Pennsylvania, but to deliver election victories up and down the ballot this November.

[Host/Interviewer]

You know, this network, we often report about the, the chaos, the recklessness of what I refer to as the, as the Trump regime. But I ask people, I say take a, say take a step back for a moment for real and just ask, like, what is government supposed to be about? Like, it should not be a dystopian reality show where we're all non consensual and we wake up in the morning and say, oh, what has Dear Leader posted on social media today? And oh, no, it should be about is the government delivering affordable health care. Like, what are they doing for my education? What are they doing for my life and my family? And I think somewhere along the line, as we've had this reality TV craze going back, you know, decades, we've lost sight of, like, and that's fused with politics. We've, like, lost sight of, like, government. Like, what is it supposed to be?

[Josh Shapiro]

Yeah, man, you are so right. And look, I, I. Pennsylvania is a huge state, the ultimate swing state, and a state that's got rural, urban, suburban communities, a state that looks really different depending upon where you are. And why do I say that to you? But, you know, I'm. I'm a guy who travels to all 67 counties. I'm all over this commonwealth all, all the time. And if you actually stop and listen. I talked about this last night in my address announcing my reelection. If you stop and listen, folks basically want the same few things. They want good schools for their kids and their grandkids. They want safe communities, and they want economic opportunities and communities they can afford to live in. And they want to know that their government is working just as hard as they are for them. So this is not rocket science, man. This is the basic blocking and tackling of government. It is hard to do. It's hard to deliver those results. But if you really stop and listen, that's what people want from their government. That's what we've delivered in Pennsylvania. I think that's why we're in the strong position we're in, why we've got so many, not just Democrats, but Republicans and independents, supporting both our work and our reelection. And why. I think. You know what I think we need more of in our politics today? Government that just simply works for people, that gets stuff done and that eliminates the chaos and instead has calm, competent leadership.

[Host/Interviewer]

Right? I mean, just in contrast to what we got Yesterday, Vice President J.D. vance, he goes and he does this press conference, and he just starts, like, yelling at the press for reporting on what happened in South Minneapolis with the murder of Renee Nicole Goode. And, you know, he just shows up there. WWE spectacle. He's got his, you know, ultimate warrior eyeliner on. And then he just goes and starts unloading and yelling, you know, at the press. Just. Just watch this for a moment because I'm like, what are you doing here? Like, what is this?

[Josh Shapiro]

Yeah, and I want to talk about that. So we'll watch the clip.

[Host/Interviewer]

What is. I'm sorry, guys. What's going on here? You guys are meant to report the truth. How have you let yourself become agents of propaganda of a radical fringe that's making it harder for us to enforce our laws? You just asked me a question that presumed that the reason why this woman died is because she was engaged in legitimate protest. She tried to run somebody over with her car, and the guy defended himself when that happened. Next question. Who do you say to when you see the vice president behave like that?

[Josh Shapiro]

You know, he. He began rhetorically by saying, what's going on here? I'll tell you what's going on here. It is yet another example of how J.D. vance has absolutely no core. That guy is profoundly and pathetically a weak human being, and he does whatever he thinks his boss wants him to do. Whatever he thinks will curry him favor that day with Donald Trump. And he's also just absolutely wrong on how he's approaching the situation of keeping people safe in Minnesota. I know you didn't ask about it, but I hope you don't mind me just taking a minute on this, because we saw a tragic end of life in Minnesota where children were left without a mom, where a spouse was left without her partner. And what we need right now is not idiotic gaslighting from the sitting Vice President of the United States, but we need a real thorough investigation as to what occurred. You know, because you've interviewed me, I. I used to be the Attorney General of this commonwealth, the chief law enforcement officer, and we dealt with these tragic situations where there was a law enforcement involved shooting. And the most important thing you can do is calm tensions in the community, conduct a thorough and complete investigation. And J.D. vance also said later in that briefing that they were not going to participate in that. Kristi Noem said that, too, by the way. Another wholly unqualified person in a really important role. What we need right now is to end the gaslighting, end the lunacy of J.D. vance's ridiculous statements, and instead have an investigation where you are able to get all of the evidence put forth, which is going to require the federal government to be participants in that process and then bring about the truth to the community. The only way that you're going to restore faith and trust in the community is by making sure the community has the truth of what really occurred. And J.D. vance did his job on behalf of Donald Trump yesterday, which was to block the truth from coming out, to make a community less safe instead of trying to create more safety and security in that area. J.D. vance knows better, man. He should be ashamed of himself. And. And he's not And I think that that speaks to the weakness of his character.

[Host/Interviewer]

How's the commonwealth grappling with the Affordable Care act subsidies expiring? And, you know, I know it's. It's very tough for people right now as they see premiums going up. It's something that could have been avoided very easily, as Trump's now talking about $100 billion of subsidies for oil companies in Venezuela or billions of dollars more to Argentina or whatever. You know, the fact that Americans are losing health care, it just seems, again, where are your priorities, man? But how are the people doing? How are you dealing with that issue?

[Josh Shapiro]

It's incredibly sad and tragic. Thousands of Pennsylvanians are losing their healthcare. We estimate that between the Medicaid cuts and the cuts to the Affordable Care act, we'll have about 510,000 Pennsylvanians who are going to lose access to healthcare. Remember why they're losing access to healthcare? One, because the Trump Vance administration wanted to give a tax cut to those who didn't need it. And two, because they refused to extend those Affordable Care act subsidies. And so you are now seeing the effect of those cruel policies. And I said at the time. I think I said it to you or to Jordi, like, states don't have the ability to make up what was cut from their state budgets. No state has that ability. The federal government cut billions of dollars from the states. And so now you're going to see the effects of those cruel policies. Half a million Pennsylvanians losing their health care. Those who don't lose it, paying a whole lot more for it. I've talked to folks who are now having to choose between paying double for their premiums or being able to afford to feed their kids. This is not the way it should be in the United States of America. And unfortunately, the Trump Vance administration continues to impose these cruel policies on the American people.

[Host/Interviewer]

As you head into this reelection campaign, what do you want the people of the commonwealth to know, and just our.

[Josh Shapiro]

Viewers in general, that there's a whole lot more work to do? You talked before about our accomplishments on education, on public safety, on economic development. There's more I want to do. I want to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour here in the Commonwealth. I want to pass what we have proposed as the Fairness act to extend legal protections to our LGBTQ neighbors across this commonwealth. I want to make sure we continue to cut costs. I've got more ideas on how we can reduce the tax burden on hardworking Pennsylvanians. I want to hold those elect accountable who continue to try and raise our rates and a whole lot more. We got a lot more work to do and I'm focused on doing that work. And I'm focused in this campaign on not just winning reelection for me and my outstanding lieutenant governor, Austin Davis, but on lifting others up. We got four U.S. house seats that are in play in Pennsylvania. We've got the opportunity to win a trifecta in our state legislature. So we've got a lot more work to do and I'm going to continue to work incredibly hard to do it.

[Host/Interviewer]

Where can people find out more or get involved? What can they do?

[Josh Shapiro]

Head on over to Josh Shapiro.org or text normal to 32210 and we'll get you involved in the campaign.

[Host/Interviewer]

There you. There you go. You know, I'm, it's good thing I'm a media guy and not a campaign normal. Very normal.

[Josh Shapiro]

That's it. That's it.

[Host/Interviewer]

Baseline normal. Governor Shapiro, we appreciate you.

[Josh Shapiro]

See you. Thanks everybody.

[Host/Interviewer]

Hit subscribe here. Let's get to 6 million. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our substack@midas/dot. You'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content Only [e-mail].

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