# Josh Shapiro administration activities and polling

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-administration-activities
> Updated: 2026-08-28T11:20:52.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro continues to face a mix of political strength and public health controversies. Recent polling from the New York Times/Siena College shows Shapiro maintaining a 16-point lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, with 55% to 39% support among likely voters. A separate survey by the Center for Public Opinion at Franklin & Marshall College placed Shapiro’s lead at 50% to 25%. 

Public health concerns have intensified following reports of two measles-related deaths in Lancaster County. Shapiro and health officials have cited “privacy concerns” to withhold specific demographic details about the victims. While Shapiro characterized the deaths as “indicative of the consequences of a lack of immunization,” critics have challenged the administration’s lack of transparency regarding the fatalities.

These developments occur alongside ongoing debates regarding the administration’s proposed rewrite of the state’s health code and criticisms from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concerning vaccine religious exemptions. Additionally, Shapiro’s executive order regarding environmental and transparency standards for data center developments remains a point of contention with Garrity, who views the order as a policy shift.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: Josh Shapiro leads Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania polls

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro maintains a double-digit lead in gubernatorial polls over Republican Stacy Garrity, even as he faces criticism regarding transparency over reported measles deaths.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/josh-shapiro-leads-stacy-garrity-in-pennsylvania-polls

### 2026-08-25: Josh Shapiro leads Stacy Garrity by 16 points in PA polls

Governor Josh Shapiro leads Republican Stacy Garrity by 16 points in Pennsylvania polls, while maintaining strong voter approval for his Israel policy and new data center regulations.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/josh-shapiro-faces-scrutiny-over-health-code-proposal-and-re-election-polling

### 2026-08-24: Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro hires former federal official to counter Trump administration

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro hired former federal official Jennifer Higgins as a senior advisor to help state agencies counter perceived attacks and funding cuts from the Trump administration.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pennsylvania-governor-shapiro-hires-former-federal-official-to-counter-trump-administration

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Cite as: Josh Shapiro administration activities and polling. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-administration-activities