Run the Numbers

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee, announced today that his campaign raised over $25 million from June to September, according to a report provided to CNN . That amount dwarfs what Republican candidate Doug Mastriano had raised since the beginning of 2021.

The race between Shapiro and Mastriano is closely watched, given the impact that the governor of the Commonwealth could have on issues such as:

• election administration

• access to abortion

Shapiro’s fund-raising success far outstrips any amounts Tom Wolf raised for his reelection bids. According to the ad-tracking company AdImpact, Shapiro’s campaign has spent $18 million in television and digital advertising. His advertising emphasizes the contrast with Mastriano's stance on abortion rights – a distinction that has generated donation enthusiasm all over the country.

A CBS News/YouGov Battleground Tracker poll released earlier this month found Shapiro holding a double digit lead, with 55% of likely voters backing him, and only 44% favoring Mastriano. In part, that divide is due to Mastriano's inability to raise sufficient campaign funds. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, he put together only about $1.8 million from January 2021 to June of 2022. He entered June 2022 with just under $400,000 in the bank.

To make matters worse, there's little hope of help from Republican leadership.  Donald Trump will hold a tele-rally with Mastriano later today, but has declined to tap into his tens of millions of PAC funds to aid his candidate.

Especially when dealing with 45 and his ilk, be careful what you wish for, Doug …