Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says officials must ‘lead by example’ amid dangerous campaign rhetoric

Washington- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that lawmakers must “lead by example” amid what he called “dangerous” campaign rhetoric that has escalated until Election day is approaching.

“I think what you’re doing is trying to lead by example – as we’re trying to do here, as I’m trying to do here – trying to bring back kindness in the face of the cruelty that we’re seeing from this president,” he added. Shapiro said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan“.

Shapiro, who was first elected governor in 2022 and is seeking re-election this year, spoke about threats against him and his family. He highlighted the arson attack on the governor’s residence in 2025, after he and his family celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder at the residence, saying, “It weighs on me, but it doesn’t control me.”

He said he has “deep differences with the person I’m running against, with the president and others.”

“But I don’t think being cruel is the answer,” Shapiro added. “I think it makes everyone less safe.”

Asked about campaign rhetoric in places like Michigan, where a key Senate race is taking place, Shapiro said: “It’s dangerous. It’s hateful.”

Shapiro said that since the attack on the governor’s mansion, “even more people have threatened me and my wife, our family – threatened us because of the way I worship.” While saying “it weighs on you, certainly, to know that there are people trying to hurt you,” he said, “I will tell you, too, it motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing to not let the bad guys win.”

Shapiro said he and his family met before choosing to seek re-election, and “everyone agreed: We can’t let the bad guys win.”

“We have to keep moving forward,” he said. “You have to stand up against hatred. You have to lead by example and you have to try to bring some decency back to this country.”