Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Ambler, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 2024.
Hannah Beier | Getty Images
Pennsylvania State Police are searching for an arsonist who “caused a significant amount of damage” to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg.
In a statement posted to social media, Shapiro wrote that his family was woken up at 2 a.m. on Sunday by banging on the door from state police. He added that he and his wife, Lori, were “eternally grateful” for authorities who helped evacuate the family.
“Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished,” Shapiro wrote. “Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities.”
The couple have four children together, Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. Sophia and Jonah are legal adults while Max and Rueben are minors. It’s unclear whether either of Shapiro’s adult children were home.
Shapiro offered Passover well wishes just hours before the attack on the residence. The governor, who is Jewish, shared a photo of his Seder table on social media.
“From the Shapiro family’s Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!,” he wrote on X Sunday evening.
State police described the probe into the incident as a multi-agency investigation and are offering a $10,000 reward for information.
“While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson,” the department said.
Shapiro is a Democrat who was elected to head Pennsylvania in 2022 after serving as the state’s attorney general for several years. He was reportedly among the leading candidates considered for a vice presidential run alongside Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential race.
Harris ultimately picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to share the 2024 ticket with her.
But Shapiro is a relatively popular governor with a favorable approval rating. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in September that 59% “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve” of Shapiro’s leadership, according to its poll of likely voters in the state.
The polling showed he had a stronger rating than pop sensation Taylor Swift, a Pennsylvania native who received a 46% approval score in comparison.
