Focus on PA in 2026

By: Jim Willshier, Director of Government Affairs

The coming year will put Pennsylvania in the national spotlight. The state will host major events—including the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, FIFA World Cup matches and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania’s political landscape will be equally pivotal, though far less celebratory. This could be the year the state shifts firmly from purple-red to blue and elevates Gov. Josh Shapiro’s ambitions as a potential future White House contender. The trend follows last year’s Democratic sweep in local elections and continued fallout from budget decisions in Harrisburg.

Next year’s midterm elections add another layer of uncertainty. While midterms traditionally favor the party opposite the president, voters remain divided on the economic and personal issues they care about most.

As we enter the new year, Pennsylvania will again find itself at the center of political battles as lawmakers position themselves for the ballot and debate how to navigate the next budget cycle. For ABC Keystone members, this means nearly every major issue—state revenue, infrastructure, data center development, basic education funding and more—will directly affect the construction industry. In 2026, sitting on the sidelines is not an option. The challenges ahead will require active engagement. As we often say: participate in the political process through ABC’s government affairs efforts, or risk being on the menu.