Shapiro, Pa. Democrats launch ‘Rise Up’ campaign ahead of 2026 midterms

The campaign initiative aims to elect Democrats in competitive districts

• Haley O'Brien/WITF
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  Haley O'Brien joined WITF in 2026. A native of Scranton, she enjoys exploring Pennsylvania's diverse communities. Haley previously worked at NPR/PBS stations in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and has won awards for video storytelling and beat reporting.

Pennsylvania Democrats gathered in Dauphin County on Saturday to launch an aggressive statewide organizing effort that party leaders say will be critical to November’s midterm elections.  

The “Rise Up Pennsylvania” initiative intends to help Democrats get elected in competitive districts through early organizing, broad voter reach and close coordination with campaigns and legislative committees. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Democratic Party Chairman Eugene DePasquale detailed the new effort to supporters at the Local 520 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. 

They were joined by state Sens.  Patty Kim (D-15) and James Malone (D-36), state House candidate Sara Agerton and U. S. House candidate Janelle Stelson, a former TV news anchor running against U.S. Rep. Scott Perry. 

“In November, we’re going to have a moment in Pennsylvania,” said Agerton, who is running to flip the 88th District in the Pennsylvania House. “And this moment is so needed.” 

Shapiro contributed more than $3 million to the Democratic Party and the Rise Up Pennsylvania Initiative to create the largest coordinated effort in Pennsylvania’s history. 

The Democratic Party has set up 27 offices and employed almost 100 people dedicated to “Rise Up Pennsylvania.” 

“We’ve already knocked over 63,000 doors,” DePasquale said. “And we are just getting started.” 

The speakers encouraged supporters to get involved while explaining their concerns for a bleak outcome in November. 

Shapiro, a popular first-term Democrat who is seeking reelection, touted investments in schools and universal free breakfast, and an unemployment rate that has been below average for 43 straight months. 

“We’re creating more opportunity for all Pennsylvanians, rural, urban and suburban,” he said. “And at the same time, we’re putting money back in Pennsylvanians pockets because we know they’re struggling.” 

But he said that progress could be reversed.  

“All of it is being threatened by people who just simply want to be a rubber stamp for this president. People like my opponent,” he said. 

Shapiro’s challenger is state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. A poll released earlier this week showed Shapiro has a double-digit lead over Garrity.  

Targeting Central Pa.

Democrats hope to flip the 10th congressional district, 88th state House district and reelect Malone to the state Senate, creating what they call a trifecta win in November.  

If Stelson wins, she will unseat Perry, a seven-term congressman who previously served in the State House of Representatives. 

Stelson said she will focus on affordability and rooting out corruption. 

“He does whatever Donald Trump tells him to,” Shapiro said about Perry. “This is the infection that exists right now in the Congress of the United States.” 

Democrats in Pennsylvania hope their effort will help the party take control of Congress and weaken the president’s power. 

“We are going to keep our foot on the gas to make sure we not only taking advantage of the moment that the delusional president has given us,” DePasquale said. “Also expanding on our state house, flipping the state senate, reelecting our governor and making Donald Trump a lame duck president.”