Who is Josh Shapiro

Joshua David Shapiro, born on June 20, 1973, is an American lawyer and politician currently serving as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania, a position he has held since January 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party and previously served as the 50th attorney general of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2023. Shapiro's political career began in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served from 2005 to 2012 after defeating former Republican U.S. Representative Jon D. Fox.

Early Life and Education

Shapiro was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He studied political science at the University of Rochester and earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. His early career included working as a senior adviser to Senator Robert Torricelli.

Political Career

Shapiro was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in 2011, marking a significant shift in local politics as it was the first time Republicans lost control of the county. He served on the board until 2017, during which he was also appointed chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.In 2016, Shapiro ran for attorney general, winning against Republican John Rafferty Jr. He was reelected in 2020 and is noted for his significant actions, including releasing a grand jury report on child abuse within the Catholic Church and negotiating a $1 billion opioid settlement for Pennsylvania.Shapiro's gubernatorial campaign in 2022 was marked by a strong Democratic primary victory and a general election win over Republican Doug Mastriano by a margin of 14.8%. His administration has focused on bipartisan cooperation, education funding, public safety, and criminal justice reform.

Personal Life

Shapiro is married to Lori, his high school sweetheart, and they have four children: Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. His upbringing, influenced by his parents—his father a pediatrician and his mother a retired educator—instilled in him a commitment to public service and community engagement.

Josh Shapiro's background significantly influenced his political career in several ways:

Family influence: Shapiro was born into a family of public servants. His father worked as a pediatrician and his mother as an educator, instilling in him a commitment to community service from a young age.
Early activism: As a young boy, Shapiro started an international letter-writing program between American and Soviet children to raise awareness about religious persecution. This early experience in advocacy laid the foundation for his future in public service.
Education: Shapiro studied political science at the University of Rochester and later earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. This educational background prepared him for a career in politics and law.
Religious upbringing: Shapiro is an observant Conservative Jew, and he has stated that his faith played a prominent role in his decision to enter public service.
Early political experience: Shapiro's political career began in college when he was elected to student government. This early success in politics set the stage for his future endeavors.
Professional experience: Before running for office, Shapiro worked as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill, gaining valuable experience in the workings of government.
Local roots: Growing up in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Shapiro developed strong ties to his community. This local connection helped him when he first ran for state representative, flipping a Republican district that had been held by the GOP for two decades.
Diverse experiences: Shapiro's background includes time spent on a naval base as a child and living in Washington D.C. as a young adult. These experiences likely broadened his perspective and understanding of different communities.

Shapiro's diverse background, combining family values, religious faith, education, early activism, and professional experience in government, has shaped his approach to politics and public service. This multifaceted background has contributed to his reputation as a consensus builder and his ability to appeal to a broad range of voters in Pennsylvania.