Pennsylvania unions embrace Josh Shapiro; shun GOP opposition

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking at Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity's swearing-in ceremony in Harrisburg on Jan 20, 2025. (Photo: Sean Kitchen)

By Sean Kitchen

July 15, 2025

Union leaders say they will continue to back Gov. Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania governor’s race.

Unions that supported Republican Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s 2024 reelection campaign are letting her know that was a one-time deal as she plans to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro in next year’s general election.

Philadelphia Building Trades President Ryan Boyer issued a stark warning to Garrity as she gets ready to launch her gubernatorial campaign in the coming weeks.

“Should Treasurer Garrity make the foolish decision to challenge our Governor, she will never again have the support of the Philadelphia Building Trades,” Boyer said in a statement. “Not even for county dog catcher.”

Boyer also criticized Garrity’s support for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which could cost Pennsylvania over 4,200 jobs.

“[Garrity] doesn’t understand what the working people of Pennsylvania need from their Governor — that’s evident by her continued praise of this bill that will threaten tens of thousands of energy jobs,” he added.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Republican Party is getting ready to endorse Garrity’s upcoming gubernatorial bid during its state committee meeting in September.

Garrity was first elected as Pennsylvania Treasurer with little to no political experience after defeating former Treasurer Joe Torsella in 2020, and was reelected in 2024 with the support of some unions after facing off against an unpopular Democratic opponent.

Shapiro easily defeated State Sen. Doug Mastriano by 15%, and according to AP VoteCast, union voters supported Shapiro 60-38%.

“Garrity is foolish for equating LiUNA’s support for her-reelection big for Treasurer as anything more than our one-time preference for her over a weak opponent,” the Pennsylvania Laborers District Council said in a statement. “We are unwavering in our support for our friend Gov. Josh Shapiro — and a bid to run on the Republican ticket for Governor against him will sever any relationship we ever maintained with [Garrity].”

Author

Sean Kitchen

Sean Kitchen is the Keystone’s political correspondent, based in Harrisburg. Sean is originally from Philadelphia and spent five years working as a writer and researcher for Pennsylvania Spotlight.

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CATEGORIES: LABOR

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