Republicans prepare to challenge Pennsylvania Dem governor in 2026
The 2024 presidential election may be in the rearview mirror, but the political landscape is already shifting towards the 2026 midterms. At the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, a straw poll of 267 participants from eight states revealed that Pennsylvania state Treasurer Stacy Garrity was the clear favorite to win the Republican primary for the 2026 gubernatorial election, with 41% of the vote. Rep. Dan Meuser came in a distant second at 9%.
While neither Garrity nor Meuser has officially announced a run, both politicians took the opportunity to tease their potential bids. Garrity expressed her appreciation for the support from conservatives and emphasized her focus on helping Republicans win in the upcoming elections. Meuser, on the other hand, highlighted the encouragement he has received from across Pennsylvania to consider a run for governor.
Garrity made history in the 2024 elections by receiving the most votes in a Pennsylvania state election, surpassing Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2022 record by half a million votes. The upcoming 2026 elections present an opportunity for Republicans to gain control of the state’s highest office, and speeches at the leadership conference indicated a surge in enthusiasm within the party base in the traditionally competitive battleground state.
In a hypothetical matchup, Garrity emerged as the frontrunner against Meuser, 2022 GOP nominee Doug Mastriano, and state Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill and Scott Martin. If Garrity and Meuser decide to enter the gubernatorial race, a competitive primary could be on the horizon. Both politicians have hinted that announcements regarding their candidacy could come as early as this summer.
As Garrity and Meuser continue to weigh their options for the 2026 gubernatorial race, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania expressed excitement at the prospect of having strong potential candidates for governor. They highlighted the dissatisfaction with Gov. Shapiro’s administration and recent controversies, including his donation to a Philadelphia Muslim community center, which sparked accusations of promoting antisemitism.
With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the political landscape in Pennsylvania is shaping up to be fiercely competitive. As Garrity and Meuser consider their potential bids for governor, the state’s voters are gearing up for a pivotal election that could determine the future direction of the Keystone State. Stay tuned for more updates as the race for the governor’s mansion heats up.
