Latest news with #Meuser
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meuser won't enter gubernatorial race in 2026
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser confirmed late Tuesday he will not enter the race for Pennsylvania governor opposite Josh Shapiro in 2026. 'The U.S. is on the move, and under President Trump's leadership, we will continue to maximize opportunities to make our nation even stronger, safer, more robust and affordable for all Americans,' Meuser said in the statement. 'Just last week, I helped lead the fight to pass President Trump's tax cuts for families and small businesses, legislating and codifying border security, enacting U.S. energy dominance initiatives, strengthening our military and bringing fiscal accountability to what was excessive spending.' Meuser said this was just the beginning and that it's important for him to stay in Congress. 'Continuing the progress we made is too important, which is why I have decided to remain in the U.S. House of Representatives, working with President Trump and our Republican majorities in both the House and Senate to pass his agenda and forgo a campaign for governor of Pennsylvania,' he said. 'My focus needs to remain on doing my job, serving my constituents and executing the plans to strengthen our country. 'President Trump proved that Republicans can be successful up and down the ballot in Pennsylvania, and I will work diligently to ensure we are again successful in 2026. I am very grateful for all the support extended to me across Pennsylvania, and especially thankful to President Trump for his encouragement. I am confident we will have an outstanding gubernatorial candidate, we will defeat Governor Shapiro and make Pennsylvania a leader among states and the best place to live.' Earlier in the night, multiple news outlets — including ABC News and WVIA — cited unnamed sources reporting Meuser called President Donald Trump on Saturday to inform him of the decision. Around 9:45 p.m., Greg Rothman, chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican party issued a statement regarding Meuser's decision. 'On behalf of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania we are grateful that Congressman Meuser will stay in Congress fighting for the people of our great commonwealth and promoting and passing the Trump-Vance agenda of peace, prosperity, and America First,' Rothman said. 'Congressman Meuser will continue to be a leader in our party for many years to come. We are confident we have an outstanding candidate for governor ready to put Pennsylvania first.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meuser fires back at Shapiro after Medicaid/SNAP callout
(WHTM) – Congressman Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) fired back at Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday after the governor's office released a map showing, what they claimed, how many Pennsylvanians in Republican-led congressional districts could lose Medicaid and SNAP benefits in the 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Shapiro says the bill, which passed the House on Thursday, will result in 310,000 Pennsylvanians losing Medicaid and 140,000 losing SNAP benefits. The map released by Shapiro's office claimed that more than 26,000 residents in Meuser's district could lose benefits, and the governor called the bill 'shameful' after it passed. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Meuser pushed back on Shapiro's claims in an interview on Thursday, calling them 'complete, utter nonsense.' 'It's not taking into account there are illegals on the rolls, there are those that are ineligible,' said Meuser. 'I mean, (Shapiro's) a person running the fifth-largest state and not bringing any management skills or accountability, or even questioning the current status quo.' Meuser said he wants to ensure that Medicaid is available for 'those who are eligible' and questioned why governors in 'blue states' don't want systems audited. The comments come as Meuser considers whether to launch a campaign against Shapiro for governor in 2026. In January, the four-term congressman confirmed he was considering getting into the race, but a formal decision is not expected until later this year. Trump's massive tax bill could cost Pennsylvania $800M to keep food benefits program going Shapiro and Meuser previously traded barbs over Meuser's statements following the firebombing of Shapiro's Harrisburg residence in April. Meuser condemned the attack, calling the violence 'disgraceful' on a radio talk show. He also offered comments suggesting Shapiro is to blame for heightening political discourse. 'Hearts go out to the Shapiro family on this, but, you know, they have to tone it down too,' said Meuser. 'I mean, every action Josh Shapiro has taken so far against the President has either been a lawsuit or a falsehood.' Shapiro reacted to Meuser's statement with surprise, saying, 'Look, I've said for years, leaders have a responsibility to speak and to act with moral clarity. It would appear the Congressman failed to measure up to that.' No Republicans have formally entered the 2026 gubernatorial race. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity teased a potential gubernatorial run earlier this year, saying she is 'listening' and 'ready to do what's necessary to help (her) team win.' State Senator Doug Mastriano says he is considering a second run for Governor after losing to Shapiro in 2022. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stacy Garrity's Pennsylvania gubernatorial announcement coming 'very soon' after Meuser declines to run
(WHTM) – Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity expects to make an announcement 'very soon' on whether she will run for governor in 2026. In a statement to abc27 on Wednesday, Garrity confirmed a decision 'about the future of my career in service' will be announced in the near future. The twice-elected State Treasurer told abc27 in April that she would make a decision 'this summer.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Garrity's latest statement on a potential gubernatorial run comes hours after Congressman Dan Meuser announced he would not run for governor in 2026 despite being endorsed by President Donald Trump. Meuser told abc27 in January that he was considering a run and targeted Governor Josh Shapiro multiple times during interviews, most recently last week over potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Garrity, who lives in Meuser's congressional district, recognized Meuser's announcement on Wednesday, saying, 'I commend him for his principled leadership in Congress and devotion to the people of the 9th District.' Finding a strong candidate for governor in Pennsylvania may help GOP protect its US House majority Last November, Garrity broke Shapiro's record for the most votes received by a state official in Pennsylvania in her re-election campaign. State Senator Doug Mastriano, the 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee who received Trump's endorsement, has said he is considering another run for Governor and believes he'd win another primary. No candidates have formally filed to run in the 2026 gubernatorial election against Shapiro, who is a potential presidential candidate in 2028. A Morning Consult poll released in April found Shapiro has a 59% approval rating in the state. The Democratic Governors Association reacted Wednesday to Meuser's decision, saying, 'Even longtime Congressman Dan Meuser — Donald Trump's hand-picked candidate for the Republican nomination for governor — knows he can't go up against Governor Josh Shapiro and win.' Shapiro declined to comment on Meuser's decision when asked on Wednesday at a bill signing that repealed the state's Sunday hunting ban. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
After Trump's endorsement, Pennsylvania Rep. Meuser won't challenge Shapiro: Sources
At a rally in Pittsburgh in May, Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Dan Meuser received the most powerful co-sign in Republican politics: an endorsement from President Donald Trump in the upcoming gubernatorial race. "He's been a great congressman," Trump said of Meuser, one of his top allies in the state. "And if you run, you have my full support. And you'll win. The people are going to get it real fast." But after months of speculation, Meuser has recently told associates he will not enter the race to challenge Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, three people with knowledge of his conversations told ABC News. MORE: Exclusive: Gov. Shapiro gives sit-down interview from residence after arson attack He delivered the news to Trump on Saturday over the phone, someone familiar with the call told ABC News. A White House spokesperson declined to comment. The decision from Meuser, who declined to comment for this article, reflects the challenging environment Republicans could face in the upcoming midterms in competitive states such as Pennsylvania and against popular Democrats such as Shapiro. "The fact is, Josh Shapiro is going to be reelected governor of Pennsylvania. It's not a question of if, it's a question of [by] how much," predicted Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia-based public affairs executive and a Democrat. Shapiro "has and will have a very large campaign war chest," added Ceisler, venturing that Meuser "doesn't feel like being a sacrificial lamb." MORE: Some of those who supported Trump have concerns about what's in his megabill Christopher Nicholas, a Republican political consultant in Pennsylvania, told ABC News that Shapiro "has made a lot of friends nationally that he can use for fundraising, and he's made a lot of enemies nationally, which a Republican can use for fundraising." Other Republicans are in the mix for the race at the top of the ticket, which could reverberate down the ballot: A strong Republican performance could help boost Republicans in vulnerable House districts -- which, in turn, could determine control of Congress in 2026. Treasurer Stacy Garrity is seriously considering a run, according to someone close to her, and some Republicans in the state believe she would earn the backing of the state party if she entered the race. In a statement, Garrity told ABC News, "Congressman Meuser is my representative, and I truly value the strong relationship we've built over the years. I commend him for his principled leadership in Congress and devotion to the people of the 9th District. "I will have an announcement about the future of my career in service very soon," she added. Also weighing a bid is state senator Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor in 2022 whose election denialism and anti-abortion stances doomed his bid, which ended in a 15-point defeat to Shapiro that fall. Mastriano has floated a campaign in public radio interviews in recent weeks. A representative for Mastriano did not return a request for comment.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
GOP congressman won't run for governor in Pennsylvania, despite Trump's promise to support him
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser will not seek the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania, despite having President Donald Trump's recent promise of support if he were to run. Meuser's decision to run again for his northeastern Pennsylvania seat rather than governor leaves the Republican Party with a shorter bench of candidates to challenge Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in the 2026 election. 'My focus needs to remain on doing my job, serving my constituents, and executing the plans to strengthen our country,' Meuser said in a statement released Tuesday night. At a rally at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh in late May, Trump singled out Meuser in the crowd, telling him that 'if you run, you have my support totally, and you'll win.' Shapiro will lead Pennsylvania's Democratic ticket in 2026, when Republicans also must defend the seats of several members of Congress who won narrow races last year. Two-term Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity has said she is seriously considering running for governor. Shapiro, the former two-term attorney general of Pennsylvania, is considered a possible contender for the White House in 2028 after he made Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' shortlist for vice presidential running mates in last year's election. Shapiro has won three statewide races and carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser . Shapiro won his 2022 contest by almost 15 percentage points, an election cycle Republicans would rather forget . Shapiro, 52, spent more than $70 million in that two-year campaign cycle, smashing Pennsylvania's campaign finance record. Republicans now regard him as a national figure in the Democratic Party whose fundraising ability will be as strong, or stronger, in his reelection bid. Garrity, by comparison, spent less than $3 million in her two campaigns for treasurer. Garrity, 61, a trained accountant, was a longtime executive for a powdered metals supplier in northern Pennsylvania before she ran for treasurer. She was also an Army reservist who retired as a colonel and served in Iraq, where she ran the detention center at Camp Bucca as part of the 800th Military Police Brigade. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
