Weeks after receiving Trump's endorsement, Pennsylvania Rep. Meuser opts against challenging Shapiro: Sources

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

July 8, 2025, 2:27 PM


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.

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.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/weeks-after-receiving-trumps-endorsement-pennsylvania-rep-meuser/story?id=123579253

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He is in PA-9. There is no "resign to run" for state offices here in PA so he wouldn't need to resign his House seat, although Philly DOES have that requirement to run for local city offices (which prompted the loss of like 6 members of City Council for our last mayoral race).

[Callie1979]

1. Shapiro is one of my picks for '28. nt

[JPK]

2. Shapiro

Is a powerful speaker.

[badhair77]

3. Meuser is a nothing. He wins in our district because

he has an R behind his name. The party would have to put a lot of money and support behind him to compete statewide.

As for me I’d definitely support Shapiro for any position. He’s smart, creative, charismatic and has experience.

[BaronChocula]

4. Big Beautiful Bow-out

after supporting the Bloated Blob's Bill. Nearly a quarter of PA's population are Medicaid recipients. He may be one of the few magas literate enough to read the writing on the wall.

[ancianita]

5. Not sure what to make of this other than it's good news.

Any ideas about what it means for rethug candidates in PA? Are they polling so low that the felon's endorsement is the kiss of death?

[FakeNoose]

6. So he doesn't want to run against Shapiro in 2026 ... and LOSE

What's hard to figure out? Shapiro is doing a great job and he's a shoo-in to get re-elected. Dan Meuser will probably wait it out while Shapiro contemplates running for a federal office (the one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) at some future date.

The added benefit to Meuser is that Chump's worthless "endorsement" will probably be forgotten by then.