Shapiro on Trump win in Pennsylvania: 'The will of the people must be respected'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) responded on Thursday to former President Trump’s election victory, arguing that “the will of the people must be respected.” 

“Our Commonwealth once again held a free, fair, safe and secure election,” Shapiro said in a statement. “As I have always said, the will of the people must be respected and the people of Pennsylvania have spoken, electing Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States along with other Republicans and Democrats for state and federal offices on the same ballot.” 

The governor went on to congratulate Democratic and Republican candidates up and down Pennsylvania’s ballot. Additionally, Shapiro vowed to “never back down from standing up for the freedoms I was elected to protect.”

“I will continue to defend our democracy, defend our fundamental rights, and ensure we continue the legacy of William Penn by building a Commonwealth that is warm and welcoming for all,” he said. 

Shapiro’s comments come two days after Trump sweeped Tuesday’s elections, winning swing states including Pennsylvania. Trump won Pennsylvania by two points, adding the state’s 19 Electoral College votes to his count. While the state’s Senate race had not been called as of Thursday, Republican David McCormick appeared to be narrowly leading the state’s incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D). Two incumbent House Democrats, Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.) and Susan Wild (D-Penn.) were ousted. 

Tuesday’s results in Pennsylvania represented a seachange from the results two years ago, which saw Democrats including Shapiro and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) win their elections.

The governor has seen his stock rise since being elected, and even made it to the final round of Vice President Harris’s veepstakes. Despite Democratic losses in the state, Shapiro is still seen as a rising star within the Democratic Party.