Pennsylvania’s candidates for lieutenant governor may not appear at the top of the ballot, but the winner could have a significant effect on state government next year.
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Pennsylvania’s candidates for lieutenant governor may be overlooked on the ballot, but the winner could have a significant effect on state government next year.
Incumbent Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Republican challenger Jason Richey appear on the ballot with their respective running mates.
“The lieutenant governor plays a unique role as president of the state Senate,” Davis said. “I’ve taken that role very seriously.”
Davis took office nearly four years ago and is seeking another term alongside Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Richey, a former Allegheny County Republican Party chairman and energy industry lawyer, is Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s running mate.
“Stacy called me in January and said, ‘I need you to campaign with me, and I need you to govern with me,’” Richey said. “And then Sen. McCormick called me and said, ‘We need you to do this.’”
Lieutenant governor’s role in the Senate
The lieutenant governor presides over the Pennsylvania Senate and generally votes only to break a tie. However, the lieutenant governor cannot cast a deciding vote on the final passage of a bill or joint resolution, the adoption of a conference report or concurrence in amendments made by the House.
Republicans currently hold a 27-23 majority in the Senate. The results of this year’s elections could give the next lieutenant governor more opportunities to influence the chamber if the partisan divide narrows.
“Even in the tie circumstance, being able to set the agenda would be a real difference from what we’ve experienced for a long time,” said Berwood Yost of Franklin & Marshall College.
Davis said he is helping Democratic candidates campaign for a Senate majority. If Democrats gain control or the chamber becomes evenly divided, Davis said he would use his position to advance their priorities.
That could include efforts “to get things done that we’ve wanted to do for years, like raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, passing the governor’s housing action plan and making owning a home more affordable here in Pennsylvania,” Davis said.
Richey said he would draw on his experience as a lawyer to negotiate agreements. He also said he would work to expand natural gas production and reduce government regulations under a Garrity administration.
“Because Shapiro and Wolf threatened carbon taxes, we haven’t had new natural gas-fired power plants coming into the state,” Richey said. “So, we’re going to bring those in, and then we need to build the infrastructure to go from the wellhead to that gas-fired power plant.”
Prepared to become governor
The lieutenant governor would become governor for the remainder of the term if the sitting governor died, resigned or was permanently removed from office.
Both candidates said they were prepared to assume the role if necessary.
“For the last four years, Josh Shapiro and I have been partners in lockstep in governing Pennsylvania and moving it forward,” Davis said. “So, should that time arise, I’m 100% confident we’ll be able to move Pennsylvania forward and continue the great work we’ve been doing.”
Richey said Pennsylvania has the potential to become a stronger economic force.
“We should be so much more powerful,” Richey said. “Pennsylvania should be an economic superstar, without question. And so, I’m ready to lead that effort to make us the superpower that we should be economically and to make the lives of millions and millions of people better.”
An extended look at both candidates, including what they said about potentially running for governor in the future, will air next week on “News 8 at 7: The Thread.”