Pa. Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity endorses Jason Richey as running mate

State Treasurer and GOP gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity threw her endorsement behind Jason Richey’s bid for lieutenant governor Thursday.

In a release, the campaign called the Pittsburgh attorney “a committed civic leader” who would be “a terrific partner.”

“Jason understands the potential Pennsylvania has, but only if our Commonwealth has the right leadership,” said the campaign statement. “Jason shares my serious concerns about Josh Shapiro’s failed tenure as Governor … and he is committed to turning Pennsylvania around.”

Garrity used her first campaign speech of the year to rebuke Shapiro’s first term. She previously called the commonwealth “mediocre,” but said it was because of Shapiro’s action as governor.

Richey ran for governor in 2022, dropping out a few months before the Republican primary. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he has served as the chair of the Allegheny County GOP for roughly one year.

Garrity selected Richey from a handful of publicly named contenders  to be her running mate. Unlike in a presidential race where the candidates run as a team, both would need to win the May GOP primary to appear on the November ballot. Ballots would be cast for governor and lieutenant governor.

Others who have signaled their interest in the lieutenant governor position include:

• Bucks County businessman Brian Thomas
• State Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson)
• And Westmoreland County resident John Ventre

No other Republican has yet filed to run for governor.