This is The New Yorker Radio Hour, a co-production of WNYC Studios and the New Yorker.

Welcome to the New Yorker Radio Hour, I'm David Remnick. In years past, we grew

accustomed to the state of Florida playing a decisive role in presidential

elections.

Then for a while, Ohio was one of the bellwethers.

But by 2024, all eyes have become focused on Pennsylvania.

With 19 electoral votes, which ranks fifth in the nation, Pennsylvania is going to be critical

for winning the White House.

For decades, Pennsylvania trended slightly blue, but it's now deeply purple with a divided Statehouse and a history of razor-thin margins in general elections.

A notable exception here, though, was the governor's race.

Democrat Josh Shapiro won in 2022 by nearly 15 points, a landslide by any accounting.

As Governor Shapiro's approval ratings in Pennsylvania

remains sky high. I want you to know every single day I go to work for you. I put my shoulder to the wheel and I focus on three simple

letters in our alphabet. G. S. D. I focus on getting shit done for all of you.

Perhaps that's why Donald Trump has chosen to single out Shapiro for attack calling him, quote,

an overrated Jewish governor.

Lovely.

I sat down with Shapiro the other day

to talk about how a Democrat can win Pennsylvania.

I've been looking at the Pennsylvania vote

over the course of time.

And right now, you are governor with a very big margin of victory.

...