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Meuser Rejects Trump-Backed 2026 Pennsylvania Governor Bid, Opening Field to Garrity and Mastriano

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s fundraising prowess with broad voter appeal leaves Republicans in need of a unified challenger.

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Overview

  • Rep. Dan Meuser, who President Trump endorsed in May, told Trump by phone he would not seek the GOP nomination and will instead run for re-election to his northeastern Pennsylvania House seat.
  • State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced she is seriously considering a bid, positioning herself as a potential consensus candidate for the Republican Party.
  • Former nominee Doug Mastriano has signaled interest in another gubernatorial run, appealing to the party’s conservative base despite his 15-point loss in 2022.
  • Party strategists warn that a strong showing in the governor’s race could boost turnout in competitive House districts and influence control of Congress in 2026.
  • Gov. Josh Shapiro, a record-breaking fundraiser who won by nearly 15 points in 2022, remains the presumptive Democratic nominee and a formidable incumbent.