Shapiro is currently running unopposed in the upcoming Primary on Tuesday, May 19. He’s expected to face off against Republican challenger and current state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, in November.

Shapiro’s stop in Clinton County, which was organized in partnership with the Clinton County Democratic Committee, came after a morning in Centre County, with the incumbent making a final trip to Lycoming County on Saturday.

The current governor, who is looking to secure a second term, told those gathered he hadn’t forgotten about Clinton County.

“I am here today because Clinton County matters,” he said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to Clinton County residents during his stop at Avenue 209 Coffee House on Saturday afternoon.

Shapiro touched on a variety of topics during his speech including the failings he sees in government on the federal level and its ripple effects into Pennsylvania.

“If we’re going to have a check on this chaos and corruption… we are counting on the community in Clinton County,” he said.

Shapiro said, if re-elected, he will ensure the right to vote for all Americans, keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of neighborhoods, stop the creation of ICE detention centers in the state, ensure parents choose how to vaccinate their children and protect women’s right to bodily autonomy.

“I’m going to protect those fundamental values that set our country forward. I am the governor that’s got your back,” he said.

During his speech, Shapiro emphasized the power county residents have in steering decisions that impact them.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Just under 100 Clinton County residents were at Avenue 209 Coffee House on Saturday afternoon during a visit from Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“I’m here today because I think you’ve got real power and real responsibility. This falls on you because you are a Pennsylvanian,” he said. “This is the birthplace of American Democracy. The brilliance of our founders when we declared our independence and came back to write the constitution.”

He noted the founders left this work incomplete.

“They left it to the next generation and the next and the next. To do the hard work and protect our union,” he said. “They started something to allow there to be an opportunity to continue. And now, we’re the generation who has the power and responsibility to carry it forward.”

Following his remarks, Shapiro spoke one-on-one with a number of those who attended the event.