It may be the worst-kept secret in Pennsylvania that Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is considering a presidential run in 2028. But first, he needs to be reelected governor in 2026.
Republican Stacy Garrity, now serving as state treasurer, has dipped her toe in the water of a gubernatorial campaign herself which, if successful, would deny Shapiro a second term and possibly scotch his White House chances.
Garrity posted a video on X, titled “Help is on the Way,” blasting Shapiro for his management of the state, belying his central claim that he “gets stuff done.”
The video says Pennsylvania ranks near the worst in the nation, that Shapiro nearly doubled the number of people on his communications staff, and that he spent millions campaigning in 2024, even though he wasn’t on the ballot.
Also, Shapiro talked about running for president in an HBO interview, spent taxpayer money on “vanity,” and a new poll showed voters are concerned about increased spending and lack of leadership. Additionally, Garrity’s video hits Shapiro for a report placing Pennsylvania near the bottom for how it performs in areas like crime and education. The video also blames the governor for higher energy bills and the fifth-highest tax burden in the U.S.
Asked to respond, Manuel Bonder, a Shapiro spokesman, sent this comment the governor made recently in Mifflin County. “Here’s what I know to be true: the Republicans will nominate someone to run against me for governor. Let them play that out. They’ll deal with their politics on their side. I’m going to continue doing my job governing for all Pennsylvanians, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and keep getting stuff done.”
Muhlenberg College political science professor Christopher Borick believes the video is Garrity’s opening salvo.
“Well, if anyone was wondering if she is running, this ad should leave no doubt. It displays all the key attack lines that will be in her campaign, including the cost of living, taxes, and Shapiro looking beyond Pennsylvania. She even unveiled a campaign logo. Game on.”
Twice elected state treasurer, Garrity served in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked for Global Tungsten and Powders Corp., a worldwide supplier of refractory powders. She began as a cost accountant and eventually became the company’s first female vice president.
She received the highest number of votes of any statewide candidate in 2024. If she were to be elected, Garrity would be the state’s first woman governor.
While Garrity has not officially announced she’s running, she might face competition in a Republican primary.
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), who was crushed by Shapiro by 13 points in 2022, recently sent a fundraising email to his Walk as Free People movement.
“But now, our Commonwealth stands at a turning point. Will we rise into a new era of faith, liberty, and renewal—or fall back into the same failed policies of the past under Shapiro’s ‘Wolf 2.0’ regime? Rebbie (his wife Rebecca) and I can’t do this alone. This has always been a movement of the people,” Mastriano wrote.
Many political observers say Mastriano’s disastrous performance in the governor’s race hurt the GOP down ballot.
Longtime centrist Republican John Featherman, who ran for mayor of Philadelphia in 2011, said, “all roads lead to Doug Mastriano,” shortly after that election.
“And the state GOP’s decision to rubber-stamp Mastriano’s campaign – and his extreme views – rather than to endorse any of his primary race opponents, put the nail in the coffin for failed U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Oz and countless Republicans running for reelection to the Pennsylvania state House.”