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

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) responded Thursday to former President Trump’s election victory, arguing “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, he 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,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro’s comments come two days after Trump cruised to victory over Vice President Harris, winning all seven swing states, including Pennsylvania, where he prevailed by 2 percentage points to add 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 incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D). Two incumbent House Democrats, Reps. Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild, were ousted.

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

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