(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be traveling to Philadelphia this week for an event alongside State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania’s Republican nominee for governor.
On Tuesday, DeSantis and Garrity will be participating in a “fireside conversation on affordability and the future of freedom,” at the Union League of Philadelphia, according to an invitation for the event.
“We look forward to seeing you for an inspiring afternoon of great conversation, great company, and a shared commitment to Pennsylvania’s future,” said Beth Sawyer, who is listed on the invitation.
A VIP meet and greet is scheduled to take place between 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by the luncheon.
Young Republicans pay $150 a ticket to attend the event, while general admission for others costs $300 per ticket. There are various sponsorship opportunities, with the most expensive ticket being $25,000 for a VIP ticket, which includes a VIP meet and greet photo opportunity with DeSantis and Garrity.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party criticized DeSantis and Garrity ahead of this event.
“For the low price of $25,000, you can listen to Stacy Garrity talk about affordability alongside another MAGA politician she wants to imitate: abortion-banning Governor Ron DeSantis,” Ava Pitruzzello, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, told the Center Square. “As if her complete and total allegiance to the Trump agenda making life more expensive across our Commonwealth wasn’t enough, this is yet another example of just how out of touch and wrong Garrity is for Pennsylvania.”
The Garrity campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Center Square.
However, Garrity has touted DeSantis as a leader.
“I would say Governor DeSantis is arguably, probably, if not the best, one of the best governors that we have had in modern history,” Garrity said during a recent interview on The Beth Sawyer Show on WVLT.
Affordability remains a concern for Pennsylvanians, according to a Franklin and Marshall College poll conducted last month. Their findings showed that the state’s registered voters are “deeply concerned about their personal finances” and are also “increasingly dissatisfied with President Trump’s performance,” who is an ally of Garrity.
DeSantis, who is serving his second term as governor of the Sunshine State, isn’t a stranger to Pennsylvania. His father grew up in Aliquippa, located in western Pennsylvania.
During the 2022 campaign, DeSantis campaigned with state Sen. Doug Mastriano during his bid for governor of Pennsylvania. In 2023, DeSantis returned to the Keystone State to deliver an address to a conservative conference in the suburbs of Harrisburg as he was testing the waters for a 2024 presidential campaign.
DeSantis is also not the first Republican governor to attend an event with Garrity in Pennsylvania during her bid for governor. In October, Garrity and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry both were featured speakers at a Washington County Republican Party gathering.
The PA Democratic Party also criticized Landry’s appearance in the state, pinpointing his stance on abortion.
DeSantis has also reportedly kept the door open to running for the White House in 2028.
Shapiro, who also has been mentioned as a potential presidential next cycle, is viewed as the frontrunner for a second term as governor and holds a significant cash on hand advantage in the 2026 race.
A Franklin and Marshall College poll conducted one month ago showed Shapiro leading Garrity by 22 points in the race for governor.
Three national ratings outlets describe the race as “solid Democrat,” in Shapiro’s favor.
