activist and reporter for KDKA–TV Steve Irwin, Banking Commissioner of Pennsylvania (2006–2014) (ran unsuccessfully for Congress) Michelle Kenney, activist for Black Lives Matter and mother of Antwon Rose Malcolm Kenyatta, state representative for the 181st legislative district (2019present) (ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, endorsed Shapiro) Joe Torsella, former Pennsylvania state treasurer (2017–2021) Withdrew Patty Kim, state representative for the 103rd legislative district (2013–present), Harrisburg City Council member (2006–2012) (running for re-election) Mark Pinsley, Lehigh County controller (2019–present) (running for State Senate) Endorsements Results Republican primary In the Republican primary, leading candidates included former Congressman Lou Barletta, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale, political strategist Charlie Gerow, former U.S. Attorney William McSwain, State Senator Doug Mastriano and former Delaware County Councilmember Dave White. Several key issues, such as school choice, natural gas exploration in PA, and tax reform, were early themes in the Pennsylvania GOP debates before the primary election, while voting laws in the Commonwealth were a later topic of debate. Due to his support for overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election and his role in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack, many Republicans expressed concern about Mastriano's ability to win the general election. As a result, the party encouraged other candidates to drop out to allow for an alternative to Mastriano to gain traction. On May 12, president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Jake Corman dropped out and endorsed Barletta. On May 14, former President Donald Trump endorsed Mastriano. On May 12, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that former U.S. Representative Melissa Hart would also drop out and endorse Barletta. Mastriano won the primary anyway with almost 44% of the vote, defeating his nearest competitor, Barletta, by over 23 points. The New York Times reported in mid-June that Mastriano had been aided in the primary by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Shapiro's campaign with an ad equating him to Trump. Shapiro defended the move, saying the ad demonstrated the contrast between him and Mastriano as part of the general election campaign. The Times saw it as part of a nationwide strategy to gain easier opponents in November. Governor Candidates Nominee Doug Mastriano, State senator from SD-33 (2019–present) and candidate for PA-13 in 2018 Eliminated in primary Lou Barletta, U.S. Representative from PA-11 (2011–2019), Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 Joe Gale, Member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2016–present), candidate for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania