GOP candidate could show others the 'playbook' for handling 'thorny topic': report

A Republican gubernatorial candidate is giving a preview of how the party views a highly contentious issue heading into next year's midterm elections.

GOP candidate Stacy Garrity is backing away from her past staunchly anti-abortion positions in her campaign against the popular and well-funded Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Politico reported that her strategy shows how other Republicans may try to abortion-proof their own campaigns in 2026.

"Though abortion has largely receded from national headlines since Democrats ran in it in the 2022 midterms, Garrity’s pivot marks the latest sign that Republicans are deploying a new playbook to deal with the thorny topic," the website reported. "In a post-Dobbs environment, Republicans in swing areas appear to be distancing themselves from the party’s embrace of anti-abortion policy. It’s a strategy that worked for President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers last year, but carries risks for a candidate like Garrity."

Garrity, currently the state treasurer, has declared she would not support a statewide abortion ban if elected, but she previously supported anti-abortion legislation and criticized a former Democratic governor for promising to veto anti-choice legislation, and her campaign website has stopped selling "Born to be Pro-Life" onesies and other anti-abortion merchandise.

“You could say that it’s part of a strategy to show folks that she’s not Doug Mastriano on some key things, because Doug Mastriano, as the candidate for governor, was a stone cold loser,” said Pennsylvania-based GOP strategist Christopher Nicholas. “To signal to the [Republican Governors Association] and to potential donors that they understand what’s at stake and they understand how to run a statewide campaign.”

Garrity sidestepped direct questions about abortion, and her campaign later emailed Politico a statement saying she would “respect the current law on the books” – a 1982 statute allowing abortion through the 23rd week of pregnancy – and Republicans praised her handling of the issue.

“She’s not a lightning rod on that issue, and that's a plus,” said Charlie Gerow, a Republican strategist and former Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate.

GOP insiders say Garrity's moves are intended to show donors and the RGA that she's a viable candidate, but Democrats are skeptical.

“Voters overwhelmingly oppose her anti-abortion agenda but they hate even more when politicians like Garrity try to cover-up their true position for political expediency,” said Pennsylvania-based Democratic strategist J.J. Abbott.