Shapiro wins uncontested Democratic governor primary

Two-term Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro locked up the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday night, saying he’s ready to run “no matter which dangerous extremist we’re against this November.”

I’m humbled and honored to be your Democratic nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania.

No matter which dangerous extremist we’re against this November, the stakes are too damn high for anything but a victory.

The general election starts now. Join us: https://t.co/K3NI1aPxvL pic.twitter.com/rSFUOrwLsr

— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) May 18, 2022

Shapiro, 48, of Montgomery County, did not face an opponent in Tuesday’s intra-party contest, with unofficial tallies showing him taking 100 percent of the Democratic vote.

The tightly contested race for the Republican nomination remained unresolved shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.

In campaign advertisements, Shapiro had attacked the leading GOP hopeful, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, tying him to former President Donald Trump. Observers saw this as an attempt by Shapiro to choose his general election opponent. Establishment Republicans, meanwhile, mounted an 11th-hour attempt to derail Mastriano’s chances, with two lagging candidates dropping out of the race, and throwing their support to former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Hazleton.

Shapiro announced Tuesday that he had contracted COVID-19. He voted by emergency absentee ballot.