Josh Shapiro grapples with Pennsylvania's divided government ahead of a possible 2028 bid

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been dealing with one big thing that sets him apart from other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates: a divided state Legislature and all the tricky political compromises that come with it

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been dealing with one big thing that sets him apart from other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates: a divided state Legislature and all the tricky political compromises that come with it.

Shapiro frequently talks up his handling of this split, particularly in recent weeks after navigating a budget impasse that lasted more than four months.

After signing the budget in November, Shapiro said a divided Legislature “requires all of us to compromise, have tough conversations, and ultimately, find common ground.” Last month, speaking at the Pennsylvania Society, an annual gathering in New York of the state’s political and business elite, the governor promoted his understanding of “the power of partnership and collaboration” and “of finding common ground.”

“That’s the Pennsylvania way,” he said, per prepared remarks, noting the state is one of just three in the country with the legislative chambers controlled by different parties. “In Pennsylvania, to get stuff done, we work together. And even in this era of extraordinary political polarization, we are showing that we can do just that.”

As a result, Shapiro hasn’t been able to land major Democratic wish-list policies, and some of his compromises have angered members of his party. And with Republicans controlling the state Senate, Shapiro has had to deal with thorny oversight.