State Treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity officially threw her support behind Jason Richey for Lieutenant Governor, effectively naming the Pittsburgh attorney and Allegheny County GOP Chairman as her preferred running mate for the 2026 election.
The endorsement marks a pivotal moment in the Republican primary, as Garrity seeks to build a unified ticket to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. In a statement released by her campaign, Garrity described Richey as a “committed civic leader” and a “terrific partner” who shares her vision for the Commonwealth.
“Jason understands the potential Pennsylvania has, but only if our Commonwealth has the right leadership,” Garrity said. “He shares my serious concerns about Josh Shapiro’s failed tenure… and he is committed to turning Pennsylvania around.”
Richey, 54, is a partner at the law firm K&L Gates and has served as the chair of the Allegheny County Republican Party for the past year. He is no stranger to statewide politics, having briefly run for governor in 2022 before withdrawing prior to the primary.
By selecting a partner from the western part of the state, the Bradford County-based Garrity is employing a classic “geographic balance” strategy. Richey noted that the decision came after “breakneck” discussions with Garrity and other GOP leaders, including U.S. Senator Dave McCormick.
While Garrity and Richey are positioning themselves as a team, Pennsylvania law requires candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor to run separately in the primary. This means both must secure their respective party nominations on May 19, 2026, before they can officially appear on the same ticket in November.
Richey joins a Republican field for Lieutenant Governor that already includes:
Cris Dush: State Senator (R-Jefferson)
Brian Thomas: Bucks County businessman
John Ventre: Retired UPS executive and 2022 gubernatorial candidate
