CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Gov. Josh Shapiro has endorsed Democrat Madelyn Alvarino in Pennsylvania’s 13th House District, adding the southwestern Chester County contest to a statewide effort to expand Democratic control of the state House ahead of the November 2026 election.
Alvarino is challenging Republican state Rep. John Lawrence, who has represented the district since 2011. The endorsement places the race among 18 House contests Shapiro has identified as priorities for his party.
The governor’s endorsements are part of a broader effort to strengthen the Democratic majority in the House and pursue unified Democratic control of Pennsylvania’s executive and legislative branches.
Republicans currently control the state Senate, making the November election consequential for the balance of power in Harrisburg.
Shapiro identified a $15 minimum wage, affordable housing, abortion rights and changes to statutes of limitations among the legislative priorities he believes could advance under unified Democratic control.
“This November, we have a real opportunity to do something that Pennsylvania has not been able to do since 1992 — win a Democratic trifecta in Harrisburg,” Shapiro stated in the endorsement announcement.
Alvarino, a former public school teacher, businesswoman and caregiver, has centered her campaign on household costs, public education funding, healthcare access and protecting affordable public water.
Her platform also calls for ensuring that District 13 receives an appropriate share of state funding.
“The governor and I are both dedicated to the same goals: fully funding our schools, making corporations pay their fair share, and supporting our working families,” Alvarino stated.
House District 13 covers Oxford and West Grove boroughs and 13 townships: East Nottingham, Elk, Franklin, Highland, London Britain, London Grove, Londonderry, Lower Oxford, New London, Penn, Upper Oxford, West Fallowfield and West Nottingham.
Lawrence, who first took office in December 2010, is seeking to retain the Republican-held seat.
Shapiro’s endorsement slate includes two Chester County candidates: Alvarino in District 13 and Elizabeth Moro in District 160, which spans portions of Chester and Delaware counties.
Other endorsed candidates are running in competitive districts across Bucks, Montgomery, Lancaster, Allegheny, Cumberland, Luzerne, Northampton, Lehigh, Butler, Washington and Philadelphia counties.
The governor’s involvement underscores the importance of individual House races to the statewide legislative balance, with Democrats seeking to retain their majority while Republicans compete to regain control of the chamber.
The District 13 contest will be decided in the November 3 general election.
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