Allegheny County GOP Leader Endorsed by Gubernatorial Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

Jason Richey, a Western Pennsylvania attorney and county Republican Party chair, enters a contested primary race for the state's second-highest office.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:15pm

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A Republican from Allegheny County announced Thursday that he is running as lieutenant governor and was endorsed shortly after by GOP gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity. Jason Richey, a Western Pennsylvania attorney and county Republican Party chair, enters a field of Republican candidates seeking the state's second-highest office, but he is the only one endorsed by Garrity, the state's two-term treasurer.

Why it matters

The lieutenant governor serves as the first in the line of succession to the governor, with constitutional and statutory duties including presiding over the state Senate, chairing the Board of Pardons, and leading the Local Government Advisory Committee. Garrity's endorsement of Richey is seen as a high-profile boost for his campaign.

The details

Richey previously sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2022 but withdrew from the race before the primary election. Garrity praised Richey as an 'accomplished' leader, saying 'He understands the enormous potential that Pennsylvania has – and the leadership failure that has left our Commonwealth ranked 41st in the nation.' Richey faces a contested primary against other Republican candidates including Morrisville businessman Brian Thomas, State Sen. Cris Dush, and John Ventre, a former UPS executive and UFO investigator.

  • Richey announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • Garrity endorsed Richey shortly after his announcement.

The players

Jason Richey

A Western Pennsylvania attorney and county Republican Party chair who is running for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

Stacy Garrity

The Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania and the state's two-term treasurer.

Brian Thomas

A Morrisville businessman running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

Cris Dush

A State Senator running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

John Ventre

A former UPS executive and UFO investigator running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“All felt I would make for a strong ticket and could help in both campaigning and governing.”

— Jason Richey, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

“He understands the enormous potential that Pennsylvania has – and the leadership failure that has left our Commonwealth ranked 41st in the nation.”

— Stacy Garrity, Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The lieutenant governor primary election will be held on May 21, 2026. The winners of the Republican and Democratic primaries will then form a unified ticket for the November general election.

The takeaway

Garrity's endorsement of Richey is seen as a significant boost for his campaign, as the two-term state treasurer is the presumptive Republican nominee for governor. The lieutenant governor race is shaping up to be a contested primary, with several candidates vying for the GOP nomination.