Two former candidates for governor are seeking the Republican nomination to serve as Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s running mate this fall in her bid for the state’s highest office.

Allegheny County Republican Committee Chairman Jason Richey and retired UPS executive John Ventre of Hempfield make up the field of candidates running in Tuesday’s primary for lieutenant governor. In Pennsylvania, gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates run separately in the primary before forming a joint ticket for the general election.

Both Richey and Ventre briefly ran campaigns for governor in 2022, but withdrew before the primary. Garrity is unopposed in the GOP primary for governor and is expected to face incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis in November.

Richey, 54, of Sewickley, is an attorney at the Pittsburgh-based firm K&L Gates. He received an endorsement from Garrity.

“Not only is Jason Richey an accomplished attorney, but he is also a committed civic leader in the Greater Pittsburgh area,” Garrity, 61, of Bradford County, said in a statement issued earlier this year. “Jason understands the potential Pennsylvania has, but only if our commonwealth has the right leadership. Jason shares my serious concerns about Josh Shapiro’s failed tenure as governor.”

Ventre, 69, said he disregards Garrity’s endorsement of his opponent.

“It didn’t come from her,” Ventre said. “The party said this is the guy they want, and in my mind, she didn’t pick him.”

Ventre said he briefly spoke with Garrity last fall before she formally announced her bid for governor, but he has not met with her during the campaign.

Richey said he was recruited to run for lieutenant governor by Garrity and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.

“We need to defeat Josh Shapiro,” Richey said. “For 12 years, the failed (former Gov. Tom Wolf) and Shapiro administrations have left Pennsylvania lacking.”

Richey said he backs efforts to fuel the state’s energy industry by promoting increased production of natural gas to grow revenue. That revenue would be used to offset property taxes and eliminate the state’s income tax, he said.

Ventre, who has been unsuccessful in two runs for Westmoreland County commissioner, said he sees himself as a perfect fit for lieutenant governor. In that role, he said he wants to push Garrity to support the elimination of the state’s fuel tax, form a cabinet-level position to oversee state spending, and implement school choice programs.

According to financial reports on file in Harrisburg, Ventre’s campaign has raised no money and spent just over $4,400. Richey’s campaign has seen donations of more than $60,000 since the start of the year and has spent just under $7,700 through the end of March.

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