Shapiro and Garrity clash over taxes and data centers in final stretch

Voters in Bucks County will cast their ballots for governor on November 2, 2026, as the final days of the campaign focus on economic policy and state management.

The race pits Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro against Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer. Recent polling indicates Shapiro holds a lead of approximately 20 points. Both candidates have offered distinct assessments of the Pennsylvania economy during recent interviews with local news outlets.

Shapiro argues that he has cut taxes ten times during his tenure, though he attributes current cost-of-living pressures to federal policies. He noted that tariffs and fuel prices related to the war with Iran have increased household expenses. “Every Pennsylvania family is paying 3,100 bucks more a year because of tariffs and this war with Iran with higher fuel prices,” Shapiro said. He stated his plan for a second term is to continue tax reductions and return money to residents.

Garrity counters that state-specific factors are driving the financial strain. She cited a 25 percent higher inflation rate than the national average and identified Pennsylvania as having the fifth highest tax burden in the nation. “A family making $70,000 in Pennsylvania pays $3,000 more every single year in taxes than the same family making $70,000 in Florida,” Garrity said. She pledged to quickly lower property and energy taxes if elected.

The candidates also diverged on the state’s approach to data center development. Garrity criticized Shapiro for not including community stakeholders in the decision-making process. She stated that a leader should gather stakeholders around the table. Shapiro pointed to his executive actions from the summer as evidence of progress. He claimed that more than 90 proposed projects have been stopped, while the remaining 10 must go through local ordinance processes to determine if they receive a hearing.

The relationship with the federal administration also featured in their arguments. Garrity said Shapiro has sued the administration over 26 times using taxpayer dollars. “I’d have worked with this administration,” she said. Shapiro argued that Garrity tends to follow Donald Trump’s lead and has litigated to overturn Pennsylvania votes. He described her stance as 100 percent MAGA and incorrect for the state.

Polls in Pennsylvania open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on election day. Residents can locate their specific polling places and view sample ballots for their voting districts through official state resources.