Stacy Garrity launches bid to unseat Shapiro
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Republican Stacy Garrity is running for governor. Photo: Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Pennsylvania's governor contest is off to the races with its first challenger: state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
Why it matters: On Monday, the Republican announced her intention to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in what is expected to be Pennsylvania's marquee race in 2026.
Driving the news: Garrity, a two-term treasurer, took several swipes at Shapiro, criticizing him for his rumored presidential ambitions and claiming that he's not prioritizing governing the state in a three-minute campaign announcement video.
- "I am giving you and your family my solemn oath that I will work hard every day to fix the problems Josh Shapiro has created," she said.
Catch up quick: Garrity became the first Republican to hold the treasurer's office in 16 years after her 2020 win.
- She grew up in rural Bradford County and served in the Army, eventually rising to the rank of colonel. She was given the nickname "Angel of the Desert" for her humane approach overseeing an Iraqi prison camp, per NPR.
- Garrity holds the record for most votes earned by a candidate in a Pennsylvania race, notching more than 3.5 million votes last November.
- Her campaign video called her a strong ally of President Trump.
What they're saying: Shippensburg University political science professor Alison Dagnes said Garrity "clearly understands politics" and is a strong candidate for Republicans.
- But Dagnes didn't think Garrity aligning herself so closely with President Trump was wise in swingy Pennsylvania, where gubernatorial candidates need to appeal beyond their respective bases to win.
- Jack Doyle, director of the Democratic-aligned PA Accountability Hub, said Garrity's support of Trump's "big beautiful bill" and its cuts to health care could hurt her.
The other side: On Friday, when Shapiro was asked about Garrity's then-rumored entry, he said, "I'm going to fund our kids' schools. I'm going to make sure that we have more cops on the beat, and I'm going to focus on doing my job bringing Republicans and Democrats together to get stuff done."
State of play: Garrity faces an uphill battle against Shapiro, a popular incumbent with a national profile and a track record as a consensus builder, St. Joe's professor emeritus and political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios.
Between the lines: Other Republicans may also enter the race, including former Republican gubernatorial nominee state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who's known for his extreme views and penchant for conspiracy theories.
- Mastriano said in a video posted to X on Monday that he hasn't decided whether he'll run but would love to have Garrity as his lieutenant governor.
What's next: Miller expects Garrity to continue to hit Shapiro hard over his presidential ambitions.
- "This election is going to be nationalized," he says. "The key is, how do you stake your own identity without getting caught up in a swirl you can't control? If people are looking for someone to blame, she'll have some explaining to do."