John, I want to tell you a story.

When I graduated high school, politics wasn’t really on my radar. I was never the kind of kid who pretended to give grand speeches, or run for student government every year. My dream was to go to college, play on the basketball team, study pre-med, and then become a doctor. Or if I really got my 3-point percentages up, maybe even take a detour into the NBA.

Well, you can see how that plan turned out. I became none of those things.

Instead, I nearly failed organic chemistry and got cut from the basketball team. On the same day.

That day, my gameplan went up in smoke. I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But then, someone knocked on my dorm room door and asked if I wanted to run for student government. Since my basketball skills clearly didn’t translate to the college level, I figured there was nothing to lose.

So I ran for Students’ Association president as a freshman. And I won.

Can you believe this guy got cut from the basketball team?

We won by knocking on doors, focusing on the issues, and not just talking to folks — but listening to them as well.

Over 30 years later, that philosophy hasn’t changed. I’ve brought that mindset every single day as your Governor — a promise not just to talk, but to listen and learn. And John, that’s exactly how we’ve accomplished so much progress for the good people of Pennsylvania over the last three years.

But John, I’ve never won an election on my own. Each and every time, I’ve had a core group of supporters behind me — folks like you who know that a better government and a better future are possible.

Take it from me: Politics can get a little ugly sometimes. But as long as we have the resources to counter every attack that comes our way, I know we can keep up the good work for Pennsylvania. Please, if keeping Pennsylvania on the right path is worth $10 to you, I’m asking for your support.

Thank you for reading,

Josh Shapiro