(The Center Square) – Gov. Josh Shapiro and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity will face off for a televised debate next month.
The event between the gubernatorial candidates, scheduled to take place on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m., will be hosted by Nexstar Media Inc. and moderated by ABC27’s Dennis Owens.
Shapiro, a Democrat who was elected to the office in 2022, is seeking a second term this November, while Garrity, a two-term State Treasurer Republican, is attempting to unseat him.
According to ABC27, the debate will air on Nexstar television stations serving the commonwealth: WHTM-TV (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster, Lebanon, York, WPHL-TV (MyNetworkTV) in Philadelphia, WTAJ-TV (CBS) in Johnstown/Altoona/State College, WBRE-TV (NBC) and WYOU-TV (CBS) in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, and WJET-TV (ABC) and WFXP-TV (FOX) in Erie. The outlet added that the debate will also be streamed on each station’s smart television apps, available on Roku, AppleTV, Samsung, and Amazon FireTV devices, and YouTube platforms.
The showdown between Shapiro and Garrity next month will be the first time candidates for governor have debated since 2018. During the 2022 cycle, Shapiro and GOP state Sen. Doug Mastriano couldn’t agree to terms to a debate.
In place of a one-on-one debate between both gubernatorial candidates hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Shapiro accepted an invitation to address members at the organization’s annual dinner.
In 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP state Sen. Scott Wagner met for one gubernatorial debate, which was hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and moderated by “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek.
It is unclear if the debate between Shapiro and Garrity on Oct. 7 will be the only time the candidates meet face-to-face for a debate.
Last week, the Garrity campaign announced that they accepted two debate invitations. One would have been held at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s annual dinner, while the other would have been hosted by KDKA-TV.
Shapiro is viewed as the favorite in the race to win a second term. Most polling throughout the race has shown Shapiro leading Garrity by double digits, while national ratings outlets, like the Cook Political Report, describe the race as “Solid Democratic.”
The last day to register to vote for the 2026 general election is Oct 19. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the upcoming general election is Oct. 27.
Polls will be open for Election Day on Nov. 3 from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
