Pa. Parties Lock In 2026 Gubernatorial Tickets: Shapiro-Davis vs. Garrity-Richey
HARRISBURG — The field for Pennsylvania’s 2026 gubernatorial election is officially set. Following a decisive weekend of party meetings, both the Pennsylvania Republican Party and the state Democratic Committee have finalized their endorsements, setting up a high-stakes clash between popular incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
The Pennsylvania GOP completed its ticket on Saturday at the party’s winter meeting in Harrisburg, endorsing Western Pennsylvania attorney Jason Richey for lieutenant governor. Richey, who briefly sought the governorship himself in 2022, will run alongside Stacy Garrity, the current State Treasurer who secured the party’s gubernatorial endorsement last fall.
“Today is not just another endorsement,” Richey told committee members after the voice vote. “Today is the moment the Pennsylvania Republican Party stands together and resolves to take back our commonwealth.”
On the Democratic side, the committee formally threw its weight behind the reelection bid of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. The incumbents enter the race with significant financial advantages and favorable polling, though they face a distinct set of challenges in a political environment that remains deeply polarized.
The GOP Case: Checks, Balances, and “Stepping Stones”
The Republican strategy, sharpened during Saturday’s proceedings, focuses heavily on painting Shapiro as a career politician with eyes on the White House rather than Harrisburg.
Garrity, a retired Army Reserve colonel who defeated an incumbent Democrat to become Treasurer in 2020, wasted no time launching her general election narrative. She accused the Governor of “fiscally irresponsible” spending proposals—specifically citing his recent $53.2 billion budget address—and suggested his governance is calculated for a national audience ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
“There is no more dangerous place in Harrisburg than standing between Josh Shapiro and a camera,” Garrity said. “I am not running for governor as a stepping stone to something bigger. I am running to serve Pennsylvania.”
Republicans argue that Garrity’s track record of returning unclaimed property and managing state investments offers a pragmatic contrast to Shapiro’s polished political brand. By adding Richey, a Pittsburgh-area attorney, the GOP also hopes to claw back support in the western suburbs, a critical battleground where Democrats have made gains in recent cycles.
The Democratic Defense: Stability vs. Chaos
Governor Shapiro’s campaign is positioning the 2026 race as a choice between competent governance and the “chaos” of the MAGA movement. Shapiro, who won in a landslide in 2022 against Doug Mastriano, continues to maintain high approval ratings, hovering around 60% in recent independent polls.
Supporters point to Shapiro’s ability to navigate a divided legislature and his recent push for economic drivers, including a $500 million bond for site development and proposed legalization of recreational marijuana to generate revenue. However, skepticism remains regarding his ability to deliver on these promises given the split state legislature.
Democrats are also expected to target Garrity’s alignment with former President Donald Trump. While Garrity has often focused on fiscal issues, her endorsement by Trump and her questioning of the 2020 election results remain potent points of attack for the Shapiro camp, aimed at alienating moderate suburban voters.
A High-Stakes Rematch Atmosphere
The finalized endorsements effectively clear the primary fields, avoiding the costly and bruising intra-party fights that plagued Republicans in 2022.
Democratic Ticket: Gov. Josh Shapiro (Montgomery County) and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (Allegheny County).
Republican Ticket: Treasurer Stacy Garrity (Bradford County) and Jason Richey (Allegheny County).
Political analysts note that while Shapiro remains the favorite, the “off-year” dynamic of a midterm—combined with voter fatigue and economic headwinds—could tighten the race. The inclusion of Richey suggests the GOP is serious about contesting the Lieutenant Governor’s office, a position that has gained visibility in recent years.
With the tickets locked in, the race now pivots to a nine-month general election sprint, with the future of Pennsylvania’s fiscal policy and its role as a presidential bellwether hanging in the balance.
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