Josh Shapiro Turns Towards His Jewish Faith

February 23, 2026 4:55 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro may be the nation’s most prominent Jewish politician as antisemitism surges across America. But he insists on living his faith “out loud.” The 52-year-old Democrat is attempting to straddle an almost impossible chasm as both a Jewish progressive and a Zionist as he marches toward a dominant reelection this fall. Already, Shapiro may be one of his party’s leading 2028 presidential prospects. He’s also among the Democratic Party’s most vilified from within, almost entirely because of his faith and staunch support for Israel. Perhaps more than any other issue, Shapiro’s ability to navigate glaring personal and political risks related to his faith will ultimately determine how far he can rise in an evolving Democratic Party.