By One of the Democratic frontrunners in 2028 may need to spend more time focusing on home before looking at South Carolina, New Hampshire, or Nevada. Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican with three decades of military service, formally entered the 2026 governor’s race Monday, aiming to unseat Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro. Garrity, a two-term treasurer and Army Reserve veteran, rolled out her campaign with a social media video blasting Shapiro’s leadership and pledging to tackle affordability and business growth.
“I’m giving you and your family my solemn oath that I will work hard every day to fix the problems Josh Shapiro has created,” Garrity declared. She promised to make Pennsylvania more attractive for businesses and young people, while underscoring her alignment with former President Donald Trump, even featuring a photo with him in her announcement.
I am running to become Pennsylvania's next Governor. Will you join my team? https://t.co/Bzamr5jBrs pic.twitter.com/X9RY75N5wJ
— Stacy Garrity (@GarrityForPA) August 18, 2025
Garrity’s political résumé includes two shocking statewide victories in which she overcame tough odds, writes The Daily Caller. In 2020, she upset Democratic incumbent Joe Torsella despite Biden carrying Pennsylvania, and in 2024 she set the all-time vote record for a statewide candidate, outpacing Trump’s margin by 4.5 points.
A decorated veteran, Garrity served three deployments in Iraq, including Operation Desert Storm, earning two Bronze Stars. “I have been an underdog my whole life, in the army and in business and in politics, and that’s why I’ve been able to succeed when the odds are stacked against me,” she said.
Her entry sets up what could be a contentious Republican primary. State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost to Shapiro by 15 points in 2022, is weighing another run. Trump, meanwhile, has not yet endorsed a candidate in the high-stakes swing state contest.
The New York Times writes that Democrats say they will take the race seriously regardless of who emerges from the primary. Mr. Shapiro is one of a number of Democrats seen as potential 2028 presidential candidates who need strong showings in 2026 first.
Asked about Ms. Garrity’s potential candidacy at an event in Luzerne County on Friday, Mr. Shapiro said he would leave Republicans to their “intramural fight.”
“I’m going to keep creating jobs here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I’m going to fund our kids’ schools,” he said. “I’m going to make sure that we have more cops on the beat, and I’m going to focus on doing my job of bringing Republicans and Democrats together to get stuff done.”
Garrity’s announcement leveled sharp criticism at Shapiro, faulting him for a 2023 sexual harassment scandal in his administration, one that liberals urged Kamala Harris to consider when vetting potential running mates, and accusing him of fundraising in California while neglecting Pennsylvania’s “critical problems.” “To know just how much of a failure Josh Shapiro has been, all you need to do is look at the facts,” she said.
Shapiro, widely expected to seek a second term and rumored as a potential 2028 presidential contender, brushed off the attack during a press conference in Luzerne County. “The Republicans are going to deal with their intramural fight. I’m not going to get into their parlor games,” he told The Daily Caller.
With Shapiro’s strong fundraising and solid approval ratings, the 2026 gubernatorial race is already shaping up as one of the nation’s most competitive. Garrity’s profile as a decorated veteran and proven statewide vote-getter positions her as a formidable challenger and change the destiny not only of Pennsylvania, but the 2028 election, as well.
[Read More: Newsom’s Nightmare Opponent To Gerrymandering Throws His Hat In The Ring]
