At G Ratings, we conducted a statewide public opinion survey to measure electoral preferences and the political climate ahead of the 2026 Pennsylvania Governor General Election.
We surveyed adults aged 18 and older residing in Pennsylvania who confirmed that they were registered to vote and intended to participate in the upcoming election.
In this study, we present the latest findings on voter preference, political affiliation, the main issues facing Pennsylvania, and the demographic profile of respondents.
The results show Josh Shapiro leading the general election race with 52.1%, followed by Stacy Garrity with 29.5%.
General Election Preference for Governor
If the 2026 gubernatorial election in Pennsylvania were held today, respondents expressed the following voting preferences:
- Josh Shapiro: 52.1%
- Stacy Garrity: 29.5%
- Other or None: 18.4%
The results indicate that Josh Shapiro holds a strong early advantage in the Pennsylvania governor race, while Stacy Garrity appears as the main challenger among the listed candidates.
Political Affiliation of Respondents
At G Ratings, we also measured the political affiliation of survey participants. The results show a closely divided electorate, with Democratic respondents slightly ahead of Republican respondents and a relevant independent or other segment.
- Democratic affiliation: 40.2%
- Republican affiliation: 38.5%
- Independent or other affiliation: 21.3%
This distribution provides context for understanding voter preferences and the broader political environment in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Main Issues Facing Pennsylvania
We surveyed respondents about what they consider the most important issue facing Pennsylvania today. The results show that the economy is the leading concern among voters.
- Economy, jobs, inflation, and taxes: 38.4%
- State of democracy: 17.6%
- Immigration: 14.3%
- Abortion access: 10.7%
- Healthcare: 7.2%
- Crime: 5.9%
- Education: 2.8%
- Something else: 1.6%
- Foreign policy: 1.5%
The findings suggest that economic pressure, democratic stability, immigration, and abortion access are shaping voter priorities as Pennsylvania moves closer to the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Demographic Profile of the Survey
The survey included a demographic profile across gender, age, and ethnicity.
By gender, respondents were distributed as follows:
- Female: 54.8%
- Male: 44.1%
- Other: 1.1%
By age group, respondents were distributed as follows:
- 18–29 years: 13.1%
- 30–39 years: 15.9%
- 40–49 years: 19.9%
- 50–59 years: 23.4%
- 60–69 years: 15.5%
- 70 years or older: 12.2%
By ethnicity, the survey recorded the following composition:
- White or Caucasian: 70.1%
- Black or African American: 12.2%
- Hispanic or Latino: 7.5%
- Asian: 7.4%
- Other or multiple races: 2.8%
Methodology
At G Ratings, we conducted this survey among 800 complete questionnaires from adults aged 18 and older residing in Pennsylvania.
Fieldwork was conducted between July 09 and July 14, 2026. During this period, participants confirmed that they were registered to vote and intended to participate in the upcoming election.
The study used a non-probability sample design, balanced by relevant demographic and geographic variables, including gender, age group, region, education level, and ethnicity.
This process employed Odysseus, a technological platform developed by G Ratings by GobernArte S.C., incorporating algorithmic models designed to ensure a distribution consistent with reference population parameters.
Data collection was conducted through self-administered digital questionnaires accessible on mobile devices and computers. The survey was administered in English.
For a sample size of 800 questionnaires, the theoretical margin of error is estimated between ±3.5% and ±5%, assuming a 95% confidence level and simple random sampling. Because this study uses a non-probability design, the margin of error should be interpreted as an approximate statistical reference rather than an exact estimate of total study error.
The completion rate was approximately 50%, based on eligible individuals who initiated the digital questionnaire.
G Ratings utilizes voter registration data from Pennsylvania to compare the party registration of voters in the sample against statewide party registration figures.
G Ratings adhered to current United States legislation regarding the protection, privacy, and confidentiality of personal data. All information provided by participants was treated anonymously and used exclusively for statistical research and public opinion analysis.
This survey was commissioned, conducted, funded, and analyzed by G Ratings, a company incorporated in the state of Florida, USA, solely for informational purposes and was neither commissioned nor funded by any pre-candidate, candidate, political campaign, or political party.



