The curtain is up on Broad + Liberty’s Candidate Spotlight Series! Each week, we reach out to candidates all across the Commonwealth up for election to public office — an equal number of Democrats and Republicans; incumbents and challengers. We ask one question per week about public policy pressing to you. Those answers are shared on our website every Wednesday.

Today, we are spotlighting our gubernatorial candidates’ responses to our first question. Come back tomorrow for the remainder of our responses from candidates across Pennsylvania!

This week’s question: Why are you running for public office in Pennsylvania? If elected, what would be the top priorities of your administration?

Josh Shapiro (D)

I grew up in Pennsylvania, watching my parents serve their community — my father as a pediatrician, and my mother as an educator. I witnessed firsthand how they cared for our neighbors and friends, and I recognized at a young age the importance of standing up for others and knew that was how I wanted to spend my career.

Those experiences guided me and inspired me to take on big fights and deliver real results for Pennsylvanians in all 67 counties throughout my career — and every day as Attorney General. I uncovered decades of sexual abuse and coverups in the Catholic Church. I’ve had workers’ backs when they’ve been ripped off by wealthy corporations. I’ve held drug companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, and protected health care access for nearly two million people in Western Pennsylvania. I am proud of the work we’ve done to protect Pennsylvanians, and I will always hold those in power accountable when they try to screw Pennsylvanians over.

I am proud of my work, but I know there is so much more to be done. People across our Commonwealth are facing serious challenges right now, and they need a Governor who will focus on their challenges and have their backs and fight for them. I will be a Governor they can count on — one who will create jobs, grow our economy, fix our education system, ensure we have safe communities, and protect our fundamental freedoms.

A strong economy, good schools, and safe communities are the pillars of my vision for Pennsylvania — and making this a reality will guide everything I do as Governor. I believe there is far more that unites us than divides us — and when it comes to protecting our communities and building a Commonwealth that is the best place for businesses and families to thrive, I’ll work with anybody to get it done.

Doug Mastriano (R)

The Mastriano campaign chose not to respond. Lieutenant Governor nominee Carrie Lewis DelRosso’s response will be included in tomorrow’s spotlight.

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