Gov. Josh Shapiro and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity discussed state spending, affordability and data center development Wednesday evening during Pennsylvania’s only gubernatorial debate of the 2026 election.
The nearly hour-long event was hosted by Nexstar Media Inc. and moderated by ABC27’s Dennis Owens and WPXI’s Lisa Sylvester.
Shapiro, a Democrat elected in 2022, highlighted tax cuts and investments in education, public safety and economic development. He cited cooperation with Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-controlled House in passing four state budgets.
Garrity, a Republican serving her second term as treasurer, criticized Shapiro’s spending and economic record. She cited her military service and private-sector experience as qualifications for managing state government and identifying waste.
The candidates differed on artificial intelligence data centers. Shapiro defended an executive order he signed in August establishing requirements for development. He said local community support would be required before the state considered permits and opposed a moratorium.
Garrity supported a temporary pause to give municipalities time to update zoning rules and establish protections for communities and utility customers. She did not specify a length for the proposed pause.
State finances were another point of disagreement. The Independent Fiscal Office projects a $5 billion structural deficit next year, according to the report provided.
Shapiro defended his budgets as balanced and pointed to economic growth and an $8 billion balance in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Garrity criticized the $50.8 billion budget and the use of surplus money to cover spending. She also said budgets during Shapiro’s administration had been signed after the required deadline.
Shapiro attributed some household cost increases to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran, policies he said Garrity supports. Garrity argued that Shapiro should be held accountable for Pennsylvania’s economic conditions.
The candidates also addressed skill-game taxes, federal Medicaid and SNAP cuts, education funding and the death penalty.
The event was Pennsylvania’s first gubernatorial debate since 2018. Shapiro and Republican nominee Doug Mastriano did not reach an agreement on debate terms in 2022.
Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 19. Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots are due Oct. 27. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
