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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity Faces Backlash from Labor Unions Ahead of Potential Governor Bid

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, has yet to announce her bid for Pennsylvania governor, but already faces opposition from two powerful labor union associations, the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council and the Pennsylvania Laborers' District Council, which endorsed her in her reelection bid for treasurer in November. The unions have warned that if Garrity challenges Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, they will never support her again. The early brouhaha sets the stage for a messy gubernatorial election, where Shapiro's allies are making their loyalty known to him while the Pennsylvania GOP hopes to take a better swing at the unusually popular first-term governor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two powerful labor union associations, the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council and the Pennsylvania Laborers' District Council, have warned that if Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, challenges Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, they will never support her again.
  • The unions' warnings came after Garrity was seen as a potential candidate to take on Shapiro in the 2026 election.
  • The Philadelphia Building Trades Council's head, Ryan Boyer, stated that Garrity's bid for governor would "sever any relationship" they had with her if she proceeds with her campaign.
  • Boyer's statement was widely criticized by 10 female GOP state senators, including President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, who defended Garrity and called on Shapiro to denounce Boyer's comments.
  • Ward accused Boyer of sexism, stating that his comments would not have been made against U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican, if he were considering a run for governor.
  • Boyer rejected Ward's claim, stating that his record supporting female candidates speaks for itself, including his support for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
  • Boyer stated that he made his comments without fear or bias, adding that his statement was "how he plays the political game and defends leaders who support Philly's building trades unions."
  • Boyer claimed that Garrity went back on her word by making assurances that she was not planning to run for governor during the 2024 endorsement process, which a spokesperson for Garrity denied.
  • Garrity would need to formally secure the Pennsylvania GOP endorsement and win the primary election next spring to run for governor.

Statistics:

  • Treasurer Stacy Garrity received 3.5 million votes in her reelection bid in November, the highest total in Pennsylvania history for a state-level candidate.
  • Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro won the 2022 election by nearly 15 percentage points over Republican candidate Doug Mastriano.
  • The Philadelphia Building Trades Council has been a vocal supporter of Shapiro, and its head, Ryan Boyer, has praised Shapiro's leadership in the past.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Morning Consult
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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