During his 94-minute speech Tuesday night in the Poconos President Donald Trump recognized many people, including two local people from the audience.
He thanked three members of Congress from Pennsylvania: Ryan Mackenzie reps (R-07), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) i Dan Meuser (PA-09) – but he did not indicate it State Treasurer Stacy Garrity – the presumptive Republican nominee for governor – despite her presence at the Mount Airy Casino Resort.
On Tuesday morning, quarterbacks ask the obvious question – was it intentional?
Depends on who you ask.
“It was an official event, right?” asked the Republican strategist Chris Nicholas. “He may have focused on federal officials.”
Nicholas rightly points out that it was publicized as an economic speech, not an election rally. Although to most observers, despite the White House’s claims, it was more like the latter than the former.
Trump, who offered Meuser an endorsement in his short-lived governor’s bid, doubled down on that support, saying the NEPA representative “would win if he ran.”
Could this be the reason why Garrity was not recognized?
Or was it something more devious?
“Treasurer Garrity was proud to attend President Trump’s speech at Mount Pocono last night,” a campaign spokesperson said Matt Beynon in e-mail. “Stacy Garrity will be a partner working with President Trump to turn around Pennsylvania’s economy, not obsessed with taking him to court like Josh Shapiro. Under Josh Shapiro’s failed administration, Pennsylvania ranks 38thvol economically and 41street Generally. This is unacceptable. “Josh Shapiro has taken his eye off the ball as he is more focused on running for president in 2028 than on solving the problems facing Pennsylvania families in 2025.”
Pennsylvania Democrats will tell you this was planned.
In statementPADems wrote: “Pennsylvanians heard a lot of things on Donald Trump’s alternate reality side show last night, from Trump’s favorite word ‘tariff’ to praise for a North Carolina Senate candidate, but there was no mention of Stacy Garrity – despite her years of full acceptance of Trump and his policies that are killing jobs, hurting local businesses and stripping away health care.
“Even without last night’s ‘thanks’, self-proclaimed ‘Chump for Trump’ Garrity is doing everything in her power to support her disastrous agenda – from irrational tariffs that raise costs and kill jobs, to drastic health care cuts and threats to rural hospitals across the commonwealth.”
Professor of political science at Muhlenberg College Chris Borick admitted that while Trump may have been focused on the midterms and protecting the Republican majority, it’s worth noting that Garrity also received little praise.
“The president expresses his appreciation to many people, so Garrity’s failure to nod is an interesting omission given her support from the state Republican Party,” Borick wrote in an email. “I think we’re going to talk a lot about the impact of the Trump-Garrity relationship on the race next year.”
Franklin & Marshall College Professor of Government Stephen Medvic he said it was a lot about nothing.
“This is a relatively early stage in the process and the White House may simply want to see how things develop and what the field ultimately looks like,” he said in the text. “From Garrity’s perspective, you want recognition (if not endorsement) as soon as possible. But from Trump’s perspective, it’s probably wiser to wait and see.”
According to the state of Pennsylvania, Garrity has not yet cleared the field Senator Doug Mastrian he still doesn’t want to take part in the race.
Mastriano, who was defeated by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2022, made no comment on Garrity’s neglect last night, but shared with Eric Bolling in “Voice of True America” that another attack on him at the governor’s mansion “is still being considered.”
“We are still praying [the decision] because it is a life-changing decision. We will definitely win the primaries. The general election is a problem because Shapiro actually has the support of Democrats in Hollywood. He received $80 million. It’s really hard to get the message across when he outperforms Republicans 10 to 1.”
Attorney General of Pennsylvania Dave’s Sunday on Wednesday he gave Garrity official support.
“Pennsylvania needs leaders who put service before self, which is a hallmark of Stacy Garrity’s life,” Sunday said in a statement. “From her time serving our country in the military, her experience in the private sector, and now as state treasurer, Stacy has always worked tirelessly to improve her community. I am proud to endorse Stacy Garrity for Governor so that all Pennsylvanians can benefit from her boundless energy and her selfless service that will make Pennsylvania better and safer.”
