(The Center Square) – Just days before Pennsylvania’s primary election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity and her running mate, Jason Richey, are crisscrossing the commonwealth to rally voters and build momentum for Garrity’s challenge to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reelection bid.
At a campaign event in Allentown on Sunday, Garrity and Richey appeared alongside U.S. Rep Ryan Mackenzie, local lawmakers, and party committee leaders, where they urged voters to support Republican candidates up and down the ballot, casting Pennsylvania as a key battleground in the fight over the state’s political direction.
The event centered on familiar Republican priorities, including expanding energy production, school choice, cutting taxes and regulations, and criticizing Shapiro and what speakers described as a “radical” Democratic agenda.
Garrity was first elected Pennsylvania state treasurer in 2020 and won reelection in 2024. A decorated retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel and former business executive, Garrity says her focus is on cutting waste and fraud, and bringing greater transparency to state government, according to her campaign website.
“We have a governor more interested in Pennsylvania Avenue than helping Pennsylvania families,” said Garrity, “that is why I’m running.”
Garrity said Shapiro is “laser focused” on flipping four U.S. House seats, including Mackenzie’s in the 7th congressional district. She also criticized the state’s economic and education rankings, saying Pennsylvania ranks 38th in the economy, 39th in education, 10th in spending, and 41st overall. She also said the state spends $5 billion more annually than it brings in.
Shapiro and Garrity have also clashed recently over more than $1 million in security upgrades at the governor’s private home in Montgomery County. Garrity has refused to authorize the payments, saying they are not legally allowed, while Democrats call the move politically motivated.
Mackenzie, who narrowly defeated Democrat Susan Wild in 2024, is the only Republican on the primary ticket for his congressional seat. In November, he will face one of four Democratic primary candidates: Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure, or Carol Obanda-Derstine.
Mackenzie singled out Brooks as the leading contender, noting his endorsements from Shapiro and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He described Brooks as a “corrupt union boss” and argued power would help advance Shapiro’s broader political ambitions if he seeks national office.
Richey, the Republican Party-endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor, is facing former UPS executive John Ventre in the primary. Incumbent Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is running unopposed.
An attorney with three decades of legal experience representing manufacturing, construction, and energy companies, Richey has also worked on cases involving government corruption and procurement irregularities – a background he said makes him perfect for the reforms Pennsylvania needs.
Richey said the Republican ticket’s plan would unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential, bring in an additional $5 billion in revenue and create 250,000 jobs. He said they also want to lower property taxes, income taxes, and “death” taxes, while expanding school choice.
“This will be the Super Bowl of elections,” Richey said. “But once we work hard and we win, we will not only change the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians, we will make history by electing Stacy Garrity the first female governor in Pennsylvania.”
Garrity closed by invoking Pennsylvania’s history and calling the election a turning point.
“We are the state that sparked the revolution. We are the state that powered the Industrial Revolution. We are the state that built the American working class,” said Garrity. “There is no reason, none, that we can’t lead again.”
The Garrity campaign is scheduled to make three pre-primary stops Monday in Exeter, Johnstown, and Pittsburgh. On Tuesday, Garrity and Richey are also expected to greet voters at several locations.
