Get you up to speed: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says officials must “lead by example” amid dangerous campaign rhetoric
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro remarked on the escalation of “dangerous” campaign rhetoric as Election Day approaches, citing increasing threats against him and his family. He mentioned an arson attack on the governor’s residence in 2025, following a Passover celebration, highlighting ongoing security concerns.
The investigation into the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in 2025 is ongoing, with authorities not disclosing any suspects at this time. Shapiro reported an increase in threats against him and his family since the attack, underscoring the heightened tensions as he campaigns for reelection.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called on lawmakers to “lead by example” amid increasing campaign rhetoric, which he described as “dangerous” and “hateful.” He emphasised the need to “stand up against the hate” and aims to promote decency as he seeks reelection following threats against him and his family.
What remains unclear — The exact number and nature of threats against Governor Shapiro and his family following the arson attack remain unspecified.
Pennsylvania Governor calls for lawmakers to lead by example amid campaign rhetoric
Washington — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that lawmakers must “lead by example” amid what he called “dangerous” campaign rhetoric that’s escalated as Election Day approaches.
“I think what you do is try and lead by example — as we are trying to do here, as I am trying to do here — try and bring back kindness in the face of the cruelty that we see from this president,” Shapiro said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
Shapiro, who was first elected governor in 2022 and is seeking reelection this year, spoke about the threats against him and his family. He highlighted the arson attack on the governor’s residence in 2025 after he and his family celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder in the residence, saying, “It weighs on me, but it doesn’t control me.”
He said he has “profound differences from the person I’m running against, from the president and others.”
“But I don’t think engaging in cruelty is the answer,” Shapiro added. “I think it makes everyone less safe.”
Asked about the rhetoric on the campaign trail in places like Michigan, where a key Senate race is playing out, Shapiro said, “It’s dangerous. It’s hateful.”
Shapiro said that since the attack on the governor’s mansion, “even more people have threatened me and my wife, our family — threatened us based on how I worship.”While he said “it weighs on you, certainly, to know that there are people out there trying to do you harm,” he said, “I would also tell you, it motivates me to keep doing what I do to not let the bad guys win.”
Shapiro said he and his family met before he opted to seek reelection, and “everybody agreed — can’t let the bad guys win.”
“We’ve got to keep going forward,” he said. “You got to stand up against the hate. You got to lead by example, and you got to try and bring some decency back to this country.”
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