Pa. Republicans Defend Trump's Agenda but Acknowledge 'Extremely Difficult' Election Year

At annual conference, GOP leaders rally base but face headwinds over Iran war and economic concerns.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:41pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of a political symbol like a gavel or ballot box, repeated in overlapping geometric waves of dark blue, red, and grey colors, conceptually representing the chaotic and divisive nature of the upcoming Pennsylvania elections.As Pennsylvania Republicans rally their base, the party faces an uphill battle in the 2026 elections amid public discontent over the president's policies.Camp Hill Today

Pennsylvania Republicans gathered for their annual conference, where prominent leaders like U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick defended President Donald Trump's record and agenda. However, they acknowledged the party faces a challenging election year, with competitive congressional races and a tough gubernatorial battle against Democrat Josh Shapiro.

Why it matters

The conference offered a glimpse into the GOP's messaging as it tries to motivate its base ahead of a series of tough elections in Pennsylvania this fall. Republicans are defending several vulnerable congressional seats and facing a high-profile governor's race, all while grappling with public dissatisfaction over Trump's policies on issues like the Iran war and the economy.

The details

At the conference, Rep. Scott Perry called for 'total vigilance' and claimed Iran would 'back down,' while Sen. Dave McCormick defended the president's decision to attack Iran and urged urgent action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speakers also praised conservative policies like school choice and voter ID laws, while criticizing Gov. Josh Shapiro. However, some acknowledged the party faces an 'extremely difficult' election year, with polls showing Trump's approval ratings declining and Democrats poised to make gains.

  • The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference took place on April 10, 2026.
  • The state's primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026.

The players

Rep. Scott Perry

A seven-term Republican congressman from York County who is facing a highly competitive reelection race this fall.

Sen. Dave McCormick

A Republican U.S. senator from Pennsylvania who narrowly won his seat in 2024 with the momentum behind Trump.

Gov. Josh Shapiro

The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate and is working to help Democrats flip several Republican-held congressional seats in the state.

Cliff Maloney

The CEO of Citizens Alliance, a conservative group that aims to turn out voters.

Linda McMahon

The U.S. Secretary of Education who spoke at the conference about her efforts to dismantle her own agency and make teachers' pay dependent on 'merit.'

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What they’re saying

“Venezuela is no longer a threat to the United States of America. Cuba is on the verge of toppling. Iran, I guarantee you, Iran is going to back down.”

— Rep. Scott Perry

“We need to use our military capability if they don't open the [Strait of Hormuz], in a very targeted way.”

— Sen. Dave McCormick

“The gas prices have gone up by a buck a gallon and that is not going to work for very long for most families in Pennsylvania. So we've got to get that wrapped up and get our energy prices back to where they need to be.”

— Sen. Dave McCormick

“If you don't like what you see on TV, if you are upset and angered — rightfully so by the chaos and the cruelty and the corruption that we see every day — well, you've got to get out and vote.”

— Gov. Josh Shapiro

“I'm telling you right now, 2026 is going to be extremely difficult. It's not a kumbaya moment. I don't want us to all think, 'Oh, it's going to be fine.' They're coming at us with everything they have.”

— Cliff Maloney, CEO, Citizens Alliance

What’s next

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The takeaway

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