Allegheny GOP Chair Richey Picked as Garrity's Lt. Gov Running Mate

State Sen. Cris Dush, who represents State College, loses out on the endorsement.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity selected Allegheny County GOP chair Jason Richey as her running mate for lieutenant governor, passing over state Sen. Cris Dush who had announced his own campaign for the position two weeks earlier.

Why it matters

The endorsement of Richey by Garrity, who has the backing of the state GOP and former President Trump, could be a significant blow to Dush's campaign for lieutenant governor. Dush has a history of running against the party's preferred candidates, but the lack of an endorsement may make it more difficult for him to gain traction.

The details

Garrity said in a statement that she spoke to 'numerous political, civic, and business leaders' and Richey 'rose to the top.' Richey, a lawyer from northwest of Pittsburgh, has never held public office but has chaired the Allegheny County GOP since 2025. He previously ran in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary but dropped out due to low polling. Dush, a conservative state senator representing Centre County and North Central Pennsylvania, announced his own lieutenant governor campaign two weeks ago.

  • Garrity selected Richey as her running mate on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
  • Dush announced his campaign for lieutenant governor two weeks prior to Garrity's announcement.

The players

Stacy Garrity

Republican gubernatorial candidate who selected Jason Richey as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

Jason Richey

Allegheny County Republican Party chair who was selected by Garrity as her lieutenant governor running mate.

Cris Dush

Conservative state senator representing Centre County and North Central Pennsylvania who announced his own campaign for lieutenant governor two weeks prior to Garrity's announcement.

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What they’re saying

“Over the past several months, I've spoken to numerous political, civic, and business leaders about our Commonwealth's future and what it will take to turn Pennsylvania around. Jason Richey rose to the top.”

— Stacy Garrity, Republican gubernatorial candidate (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

“We had a saying when I was running against the speaker of the House that, 'If we win, praise God, if we lose, praise God.' And He's blessed me the whole way through.”

— Cris Dush, State senator (Harrisburg ABC affiliate)

What’s next

The state GOP will reportedly meet on February 7 to endorse a lieutenant governor candidate. The primary election will be held on May 19, with a registration deadline of May 4.

The takeaway

Garrity's endorsement of Richey over Dush could be a significant setback for Dush's campaign, as Garrity has the backing of the state GOP and former President Trump. However, Dush has a history of running against the party's preferred candidates, so he may continue his campaign despite the lack of an endorsement.