Dan Meuser aims for 2026 Pennsylvania governor run

U.S. Representative Dan Meuser visited Germantown, Philadelphia, on Wednesday as he considers a run for governor in 2026. The event was open to all but took place in a predominantly Black neighborhood that strongly supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election. Meuser, a Republican from Northeastern Pennsylvania, expressed his admiration for Philadelphia. He stated, “Philadelphia is my favorite city in the world.” His comments were part of his effort to connect with local voters and lay the groundwork for a potential campaign against Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. The event featured a buffet and speakers discussing local issues, but it started late, causing many attendees to leave. Meuser promoted his vision for the governor's office, emphasizing that there is more to be done for Pennsylvania. Attendees raised concerns and questions about issues like Medicaid, but few answers were provided during the event. A local Democratic politician, Stephen Kinsey, attended for the sake of bipartisanship and to hear about how elected officials plan to address community challenges. The gathering drew criticism from the local Democratic Party, which highlighted recent Republican support for cuts to federal programs impacting communities of color. State Representative Andre Carroll spoke out against this support, insisting that politicians should focus on protecting essential services like Medicaid. Meuser acknowledged the issues facing both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh but did not offer specific solutions. He mentioned his friendship with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, indicating his intent to build broad support for his potential campaign.