News & Brews February 9, 2026
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Shapiro wants trifecta with eyes on 2028
POLITICO reports, “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has made his ability to navigate a sharply divided Legislature a core part of his national sales pitch.” (I might add his navigational skills are lacking here.) “But as 2028 approaches, what he really wants is a Democratic trifecta in Harrisburg,” meaning Democrat control of the House, Senate, and governor’s office. Indeed, “Shapiro’s effort to secure unified control of Harrisburg will serve as a critical test of his coattails in the nation’s largest swing state. And it’s a prerequisite for him to be able to score some big-ticket liberal policy wins he can brag about on a 2028 presidential primary stage that could be jam-packed with governors who already have their own achievements to tout.“ (Indeed, Axios reported the same general story late last year: Shapiro’s 2028 strategy hinges in large part on 2026.)
Pa. Republicans point to ‘unity & time’ ahead of elections
PennLive reports that while “Gov. Josh Shapiro is the heavy favorite to win the 2026 governor’s race in Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Republicans have two things in their favor: “unity and time.” First, the party is unified behind GOP candidate Stacy Garrity. Second, Republicans can start early on a focused campaign for Garrity. Beyond this, “For the Republicans, staying competitive at the top is important because of all the other things the GOP wants to accomplish this year.” Chief among these: Keeping control of the state Senate.
Is your electric bill high? Blame government
Data centers? Big corporations? Who’s to blame for sky high electricity bills? Well, Manhattan Institute Fellow Ken Girardin, whose background includes energy policy, writes that “today’s high prices stem from decisions made years ago by governments and the utilities they regulate. Much of the recent increase was purposeful—indeed, avoidable—and the worst is likely still to come.” For example, cap-and-tax schemes like RGGI have cost ratepayers more. “New England’s grid operator … estimated that RGGI compliance pushed prices from gas plants (the region’s main power source) by 0.7 cents to 1 cent per kilowatt-hour.” That’s not the only ill-thought policy to blame.
Pa. Dems, GOP officially endorse gubernatorial slates
Over the weekend, the state Democrat and Republican Party committees officially endorsed their respective picks for the gubernatorial tickets this November. Offering no surprises, Democrats endorsed Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, while Republicans endorsed Allegheny County attorney Jason Richey for lieutenant governor. The GOP had endorsed state Treasurer Stacy Garrity for governor last September. The Inquirer reports, “By finalizing their endorsements for governor and lieutenant governor, the November election is all but officially set. The candidates are expected to be formally nominated by their parties in the May 19 primary.”
Fetterman fundraises … from GOP donors
The Post-Gazette reports that some GOP donors “stepped in to boost” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s “fundraising efforts last year as his donations and approvals among members of his own party … took a sharp turn.” Progressive Democrats have, of course, become angered with Fetterman due to his support for Israel, his willingness to work with Republicans, and his refusal to view political opponents as the devil incarnate. “Combined with his other lagging fundraising efforts, the donations … further feed questions about what Mr. Fetterman’s plans are as his re-election year quickly approaches,” noted one Duquesne University political science professor, who posited that Fetterman may opt not to run for re-election.