President Donald Trump on Tuesday night endorsed Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity in her bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, thrusting himself directly into one of the nation’s most closely watched gubernatorial contests.
Trump praised Garrity in a Truth Social post, calling her a successful businesswoman and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel aligned with his political agenda. The endorsement comes as Pennsylvania Democrats aim to solidify control of the General Assembly and reclaim ground in the U.S. House, and as Republicans look to flip the governor’s office in a perennial battleground state.
The president’s backing arrives amid a turbulent political environment for Trump and the GOP, following strong Democratic performances in Pennsylvania and nationally in November and in special elections last year. It also lands as Shapiro, widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, begins a re-election campaign and book tour with a sizable financial edge. Shapiro’s campaign reported roughly $30 million cash on hand entering 2026, compared with about $1 million for Garrity.
Pennsylvania Democrats have argued the endorsement may do little to boost Garrity unless Trump’s standing improves. About 40% of Pennsylvanians approve of the president’s job performance, according to a recent survey by the Bravo Group. Shapiro and other Democrats have criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics and pointed to ongoing concerns over prices and health care.
Democratic strategists have also sought to tie Garrity and vulnerable House Republicans to Trump’s most contentious policies, including tariffs, abortion restrictions, Medicaid cuts and actions by immigration authorities. They note that Republicans have often struggled in statewide races without Trump on the ballot.
Trump’s endorsement did not include direct criticism of Shapiro, a frequent presidential critic. Garrity, who won a second term as treasurer in 2024 with nearly 3.5 million votes, called the endorsement an honor and credited Trump’s past electoral success in Pennsylvania to his appeal to working-class voters.
Garrity, 61, grew up in Bradford County and worked in sales and leadership roles at Global Tungsten & Powders while serving more than three decades in the Army Reserve. She first won statewide office in 2020, defeating Democrat Joe Torsella, and has drawn bipartisan praise for aspects of her tenure as treasurer.
Shapiro, 52, previously served as state attorney general and Montgomery County commissioner before winning the governorship in 2022 by nearly 15 points. He maintains strong approval ratings among Democrats and independents; the Bravo Group survey found 58% would back him if the election were held today.
The endorsement followed Shapiro’s announcement earlier Tuesday that he joined a Philadelphia lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s removal of a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historic Park, underscoring the intensifying political and legal conflict between the two camps as the race heads toward November.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette