Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro faced allegations that he secretly supported Republican Stacy Garrity’s 2024 reelection campaign for state treasurer after Democrat Erin McClelland criticized him publicly during the race [1].
Bob Brooks, president of Pennsylvania’s firefighters union and a candidate backed by Shapiro for a House seat, told a group of Democratic college students in May 2026 that Shapiro had asked his union to endorse Garrity instead of McClelland. Brooks said the request stemmed from McClelland’s harsh public criticism of Shapiro while he was being vetted as a potential vice presidential pick by Kamala Harris’s team in summer 2024. "Josh Shapiro had requested because Stacy, er, Erin McClelland came out hard about something on Josh Shapiro, and really, the Democratic Party as a whole turned on Erin McClelland," Brooks said. "And he said, 'I would like you guys to endorse Stacy Garrity.'" [1]
Shortly after making the comment, Brooks issued a statement saying he "misspoke and made an inaccurate comment." He emphasized many in the Democratic Party were unhappy with McClelland’s attacks, but that "The governor did not ask my union to make any endorsements." [1]
Josh Shapiro’s spokesperson Manuel Bonder denied the governor requested any endorsements, saying, "The governor did not ask Bob Brooks to make any endorsements in that race — and the only races he is focused on are winning up and down the ballot this November." [1]
The dispute centers on whether Shapiro sought union support for Garrity as retaliation. Brooks’ initial claim suggested direct involvement by the governor, while his retraction and Shapiro’s office deny any such request.
Shapiro was publicly under consideration as a 2024 vice presidential candidate during the summer before the treasurer’s race. During that time, Erin McClelland ran against Garrity and openly criticized Shapiro. Brooks’ original comment linked Shapiro’s request for union endorsement directly to allegations by McClelland [1].
The contrast between Brooks’ statements leaves ambiguity about the governor’s role. The most recent public developments occurred last week in early May 2026, when Brooks made then retracted his claims. Shapiro’s office responded promptly to deny the involvement.
No further details about endorsements or communications have been released. The Pennsylvania treasurer race concluded with Garrity’s reelection in 2024. There are no announced investigations or additional statements from the governor’s office related to this matter.