Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., told Newsmax on Friday that he might run for governor of Pennsylvania, noting that he's giving the idea strong consideration with an eye on following the examples set by other Republican-led states.
Meuser told The Hill this month that he is "considering" a bid to challenge Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, when he comes up for reelection in 2026.
Asked on "National Report" if he's giving a gubernatorial campaign "strong consideration," Meuser said, "Yes, I'd say that's correct."
Meuser said he has been inspired by President-elect Donald Trump and several Republican governors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, adding that he would focus on improving Pennsylvania's economy and safety.
"I see what President Trump is bringing to the United States, his vision, his plan, his ability to execute on a plan of strengthening us, certainly from a national security standpoint, but a safety standpoint, energy standpoint, the economy," Meuser said.
Meuser said that Trump is "making America proud and excited, and I see what someone like Ron DeSantis does in Florida and what Abbott does in Texas and how Utah and Georgia, for that matter, and other states are just flourishing. And I want Pennsylvania … to be in that top category. And I just don't see it happening" under Shapiro.
Meuser added that Pennsylvania is "good, but we want to be great."
Meuser said that with "the right plan, the right execution, minimal taxes, doing the things President Trump is doing on the national scene … following the model of Florida, Texas first and then outdoing them."
Meuser added: "And it can be done because we're Pennsylvania, we've got more resources and advantages than any of those other states."
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.