Pennsylvania lieutenant-governor candidate flips from election denial to Trump loyalty
Attorney Jason Richey, once a vocal 2020 election denier, abandoned Donald Trump after the 2022 gubernatorial race but has now re-embraced MAGA rhetoric as the running mate of Lt. Gov. candidate Stacy Garrity.
Jason Richey, an Allegheny County attorney, rose to prominence by promoting the 2020 “Big Lie” and promising to safeguard election integrity during his 2022 gubernatorial run, even suggesting the governor could control the secretary of the commonwealth who certifies presidential results. After ending his campaign and denouncing Trump in a December 2022 interview, Richey rejoined the MAGA fold as the lieutenant-governor candidate alongside Trump-endorsed Stacy Garrity.
Their ticket faces steep odds against Democratic incumbents Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who lead in polls by double digits. If they were to win, it would mark a major victory for the Stop the Steal movement. Richey’s shifting stance illustrates the fluid loyalties within Pennsylvania’s Republican ranks ahead of the statewide election.
Why it matters
The candidate’s reversal highlights the volatility of GOP messaging and its impact on Pennsylvania’s high-stakes statewide races.
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