Josh Shapiro
Born 1973 · Age 52
American politician and lawyer; Pennsylvania State Representative (2005–12), Montgomery County Commissioner (2012–17), Pennsylvania Attorney General (2017–23), and 48th Governor of Pennsylvania (2023–).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Kansas City, Missouri
Joshua David Shapiro was born to Judi (educator) and Steven Shapiro (pediatrician). Family later moved to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Graduated Akiba Hebrew Academy (Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy)
Completed secondary education at Akiba Hebrew Academy (later Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy).
Graduated University of Rochester (B.A., Political Science)
Shifted from pre-med after freshman struggles in organic chemistry; earned B.A. in political science in 1995.
Elected to Student Government at University of Rochester (early political start)
While a freshman, a fellow student recruited Shapiro to run for student government; he won and cites it as launching his public service career.
Married Lori Ferrara
Married high-school sweetheart Lori Ferrara; the couple later had four children.
Graduated Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.)
Earned Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University while working in D.C. as a congressional aide.
Senior adviser / Congressional aide on Capitol Hill
Worked as a congressional aide and served as a senior adviser to U.S. senator Robert Torricelli (and at points worked for Sen. Carl Levin and other Democrats while in D.C.).
Elected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Defeated Jon D. Fox)
Won the election for the 153rd district, defeating former Republican U.S. Rep. Jon D. Fox.
Began term in Pennsylvania House of Representatives (153rd district)
Took office as state representative; served four two-year terms (2005–2012).
Reelected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Won reelection for a second term representing the 153rd district.
Reelected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Won reelection for a third term.
Reelected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives (fourth term)
Won reelection for a fourth term, consolidating reputation as policy wonk and strategist for Democrats in the chamber.
Elected to Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners — election marked first time Republicans lost control of the county.
Began serving on Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (Chair)
Served on the Board from 2012 to 2017 and held the position of chairman during his tenure.
Balanced Montgomery County budget (addressed $10M deficit)
As commissioner and chairman, helped balance a county budget that had faced an approximately $10 million deficit at the start of his tenure.
Assisted in issuing some of Pennsylvania's early same-sex marriage licenses
During county administration tenure, the county assisted in issuing licenses amid legalization processes in Pennsylvania.
Appointed Chair of Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Governor Tom Wolf appointed Shapiro as chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Elected Pennsylvania Attorney General (defeated John Rafferty Jr.)
Launched successful statewide campaign for Attorney General in 2016 and won the election.
Sworn in as Pennsylvania Attorney General
Assumed office as Attorney General and began overseeing statewide prosecutions and investigations.
Joined multistate suits against Trump administration policies
As AG, joined other attorneys general in suing over family-separation policy and over rules expanding employer exemptions to contraceptive coverage.
Released statewide grand-jury report on Catholic Church abuse
Office released a landmark grand-jury report exposing widespread child sexual abuse by clergy and coverups by church leaders across Pennsylvania.
Prosecutions and investigations into opioid crisis and corporate accountability
Led prosecutions of drug dealers and joined national litigation vs. opioid manufacturers and distributors; raised statewide profile.
Reelected Pennsylvania Attorney General
Won reelection as Attorney General in 2020, continuing to litigate election challenges and other statewide matters.
National opioid settlements resulting in funds for Pennsylvania
Part of a national set of agreements amounting to about $26 billion; Pennsylvania negotiated roughly $1 billion as part of settlements for states/counties.
Announced run for Governor of Pennsylvania
Declared candidacy for governor to succeed term-limited Tom Wolf; positioned on economy, gas-tax refund, renewable energy goal, and voting rights protections.
Elected Governor of Pennsylvania (defeated Doug Mastriano)
Won the 2022 gubernatorial election in a landslide, defeating the Trump-endorsed Republican Doug Mastriano by nearly 15 percentage points.
Implemented government efficiency measures (CODE PA, permitting reforms, backlogs eliminated)
Launched an in‑house digital services team (CODE PA), reformed permitting, and reduced backlogs to make government more efficient.
Inaugurated as 48th Governor of Pennsylvania
Sworn in as governor in January 2023 and began implementing his agenda.
Signed executive order eliminating college-degree requirement for many state jobs
On his first day in office, issued an executive order opening roughly 90–92% of state government jobs to applicants without a college degree.
First bill signed: insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings
First bill he signed into law required insurers to cover preventive screenings for high-risk women at no cost.
Hired bipartisan staff and handled personnel controversies (Mike Vereb)
Brought Republican Mike Vereb onto staff as legislative liaison; Vereb later resigned (reported September 2023) amid harassment complaint and an administration payout.
Budget negotiations and school voucher controversy
During budget talks with a divided legislature, Shapiro privately negotiated a school voucher plan with Senate Republicans that he later abandoned amid Democratic backlash as the June 30 deadline approached.
I‑95 overpass collapse near Philadelphia
An overpass on I‑95 collapsed after a truck fire — a major infrastructure crisis during Shapiro’s early tenure that he coordinated responses to.
I‑95 temporary replacement/reopening completed in 12 days
Shapiro led a rapid repair/replacement effort restoring traffic across the collapsed section of I‑95 in roughly 12 days, gaining national attention.
Reported $295,000 settlement regarding staff complaint
News reports later noted the administration quietly paid approximately $295,000 to settle a harassment complaint involving Mike Vereb shortly before his resignation.
Secured $500 million in budget for industrial/mixed-use site preparation
In budget negotiations, Shapiro scored a major win securing $500 million for preparing sites for industrial or mixed-use development.
Travel milestone: visited 50 counties within first 18 months
Governor’s office reported Shapiro had visited 50 Pennsylvania counties in his first 18 months in office, engaging statewide communities.
Public stances on Israel and campus protests after Oct 2023 hostilities
After Hamas' Oct 2023 attack and subsequent protests, Shapiro condemned antisemitism, supported Israel's right to exist, and pushed for policy responses to some campus demonstrations.
Mentioned as potential vice-presidential contender after Biden exit
Following President Biden's announcement he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, Shapiro (Governor of Pennsylvania) emerged as a top contender and was discussed as a potential running mate; he publicly endorsed Kamala Harris.
Ongoing governance achievements: education, public safety, workforce investments
Administration reported increases in education funding, new State Police hires, expansions to school nutrition and mental health resources, criminal justice reforms, and economic development investments.
Arson attack at Pennsylvania governor's residence; family evacuated
Shapiro, his wife, and children survived an arson attack (molotov cocktails thrown into governor's mansion). Family and staff were safely evacuated; attacker arrested and accused of intending bodily harm.
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