Yes, the date on the poll release is April 1.

Pennsylvania Republicans can only wish it was meant as a joke.

In the latest poll from Susquehanna Polling & Research, incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has a 22-point advantage over probable Republican challenger Stacy Garrity.

In a survey of 700 likely Pennsylvania voters, Shapiro received 58 percent support compared to just 36% for the State Treasurer. Five percent of respondents were undecided with a margin of error of +/-3.7 points in a survey that was in the field from March 18-29.

Pollster Jim Lee told PCN’s Capitol Preview that the 22-point lead at this juncture is “pretty formidable.”

He said the key for Garrity to close the gap would be to secure the resources – read, fundraising – to drive Shapiro’s numbers below 50% prior to Election Day.

The problem becomes convincing GOP donors that she is still a candidate worth backing.

The survey showed that Shapiro has solidified his base, garnering 95% of Democratic votes, while also winning over 1 in 6 Republican (18%) voters who typically would break for Garrity.

Shapiro is a popular governor with Pennsylvanians with 56% of respondents approving of his job performance. Those surveyed also liked the way the governor “stands up” to President Donald Trump with 22% expressing their approval.

About half of respondents said they liked Garrity “because she was a Republican,” while 22% said they liked her support of Trump. One in five (21%) also said they liked her policies.

Shapiro defeated GOP opponent Doug Mastriano by 15 percentage points in 2022.