U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser confirmed reports Tuesday he won't run for governor next year, saying furthering President Donald Trump's agenda as a congressman outweighs his desire to run for the state's top job.
Portraying the country as "on the move" under Trump’s leadership in a statement issued late Tuesday, Meuser pointed to his helping to fight for Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act last week and its "tax cuts for families and small businesses," money for boosting border security, energy and military and "fiscal accountability to what was excessive spending."
"This was just the beginning," Meuser said. "Continuing the progress we made is too important, which is why I have decided to remain in the U.S. House of Representatives, working with President Trump and our Republican majorities in both the House and Senate to pass his agenda and forgo a campaign for governor of Pennsylvania. My focus needs to remain on doing my job, serving my constituents, and executing the plans to strengthen our country."
Democrats and other opponents criticize the bill for cutting Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits.
Meuser's statement confirmed reporting earlier Tuesday by ABC News and WVIA News that he would not run.
The fourth term congressman from Luzerne County did not immediately endorse either state Treasurer Stacy Garrity or state Sen. Doug Mastriano of York County, the two others most frequently mentioned as potential Republican governor candidates. He predicted success for Republicans next year as they seek to unseat Gov. Josh Shapiro, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
"I am very grateful for all the support extended to me across Pennsylvania, and especially thankful to President Trump for his encouragement," Meuser said. "I am confident we will have an outstanding gubernatorial candidate, we will defeat Governor Shapiro, and make Pennsylvania a leader among states and the best place to live.”
At a rally in Pittsburgh in late May, Trump seemed to endorse Meuser, 61, one of his staunchest allies in Pennsylvania and Congress.
"I'll tell you, if that's your decision, you've got my support, you know that, right? If you run, you've got my support,” Trump said. “He’s been a great Congressman. And if you run, you have my support totally and you'll win, you'll win. The people are going to get it real fast."
In her own statement, Garrity, whose home is in Meuser's district, said she truly values "the strong relationship we’ve built over the years."
"I commend him for his principled leadership in Congress and devotion to the people of the 9th district," she said. "I will have an announcement about the future of my career in service very soon.”
Meuser has represented most of his current territory, now the 9th Congressional District, since January 2019.
After losing a Republican primary for Congress in 2008, Meuser served as state revenue secretary under Gov. Tom Corbett from 2011 to 2015. He ran for the 9th district seat in 2018, easily defeating Denny Wolff, a Democrat who had served as agriculture secretary under Gov. Ed Rendell.
Meuser defeated poorly funded Democratic challengers in 2020, 2022 and 2024 by more than 2 to 1 margins.
The 9th district, which spans all or parts of 12 counties, comprises most of the northcentral part of Pennsylvania and stretches as far south as Berks County. Garrity, a Bradford County resident, lives in the 9th.
Keith Eckel, a prominent Lackawanna County Republican, said he had not heard the news about Meuser bowing out but sees him as a longtime congressman.
“Number one, he has got a very sure position where he is,” Eckel said. “Nobody is going to take him out of that. He’s building a leadership role in Congress ... I strongly believe that with his experience and building seniority, he can have a more positive impact for a much longer time.”
