Several Republican leaders now endorse Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic candidate for Governor. A group of them have also formed Republicans4Shapiro, a PAC to support his campaign because they feel that Republican candidate Doug Mastriano is too extreme.
For established Republicans to publicly endorse and raise funds for a Democratic candidate is bold and unprecedented. The nine Republicans to endorse Shapiro are recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as “stalwarts of Pennsylvania’s GOP establishment for decades in Harrisburg and D.C.”
They are:
- Morgan Boyd, chair of Lawrence County Board of Commissioners
- Lita Chohen, former state representative
- Ken Davis, former chair of Montgomery County GOP
- Charlie Dent, former U.S. representative
- Jim Greenwood, former U. S. representative
- Robert Jubelirer, former lieutenant governor and state senator
- Denny O’Brien, former state house speaker
- Sandra Schultz Newman, former state supreme court justice
- Dave Steil, former state representative
According to the article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Boyd said Shapiro is “the only candidate with a vision, the experience, and the plan to bring [PA] back” from political crossroads. Not only do these Republicans like Shapiro’s plans and bipartisan approach, but also, they fear Mastriano’s plans. In particular some fear that if elected, Mastriano might use gubernatorial power to undermine the state’s elections.
These Republican endorsements should help Shapiro attract moderate Republican and Independent voters in November.
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