Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is strategically expanding his national fundraising network as he embarks on a book tour and gears up for his 2026 reelection campaign. This effort is seen as a groundwork for a potential presidential run in 2028.

Last month, while on a book tour stop in Massachusetts, Shapiro held a fundraising luncheon, confirmed by insiders familiar with the event. This marks at least the third such event in the traditionally Democratic stronghold, following others including a notable gathering at the home of Jonathan Kraft, a prominent Jewish philanthropist and president of the New England Patriots.

Shapiro's fundraising prowess is evident. In 2025 alone, he raised a staggering $23 million, with significant contributions from high-profile donors like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who donated $2.5 million; the Soros family PAC, which contributed $1 million; and James and Kathryn Murdoch, who added $500,000. This has enabled Shapiro to amass a $30 million war chest as he faces his likely Republican challenger, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity.

Despite the busy fundraising schedule, Shapiro maintains a focus on his immediate political responsibilities, routinely dismissing speculation about a 2028 presidential bid. “No one should be looking past these midterms,” Shapiro recently told reporters, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming elections.

Behind the scenes, Shapiro is equally disciplined, focusing discussions with donors on his leadership in Pennsylvania and the need for Democrats to prioritize economic issues. Alex Hoffman, a Democratic strategist and donor adviser, remarked, “The smartest thing Shapiro and other folks on the ballot in 2026 can do right now is say ‘I’m running for reelection right now and I’m in the middle of the fight.' This makes ‘26 a nice little audition for their eventual 2028 runs.”

Shapiro's out-of-state fundraising efforts have been fruitful, netting over $700,000 from Massachusetts donors alone in 2025, with significant contributions from individuals like construction magnate John Fish and telecommunications tycoon Robert Hale.

However, Shapiro's broad donor network has also attracted scrutiny. His campaign has faced calls from Garrity to return over $2 million received from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who has been referenced in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Shapiro's spokesperson, Manuel Bonder, countered, suggesting Garrity should equally scrutinize other political figures mentioned in the Epstein files.

As Shapiro continues to build his donor network, he faces the challenge of not being able to use his state campaign funds for a federal office run, positioning him at a potential disadvantage against other 2028 hopefuls who are preparing federal funds for their campaigns.

Despite these challenges, Shapiro's fundraising strategy highlights his preparation for both immediate and future political contests, demonstrating a careful balance between state leadership and national ambitions.