AP photo Pennsylvania Republicans have tapped current Treasurer Stacy Garrity to run against Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s re-election campaign more than a year away already appears to be navigating in troubled waters. After proposing a $51.5 billion spending plan that had revenues exceeding expenses by $4.5 billion, Senate Republicans rejected the proposal, seeking an option that did a better job of balancing the budget.

Four months later, the process is at a standstill. At the moment, the commonwealth’s counties and schools are being forced to consider borrowing funds to make ends meet while critical services that include mental health and foster care may be in jeopardy.

Not finding common ground is becoming both a frustration and an impediment to local leaders. It is why Republicans are mounting a challenge in the race for governor. Nearly two weeks ago, the party announced it would tap current state Treasurer Stacy Garrity for the top post.

Garrity is a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel and businesswoman. While in the military, she served during three deployments in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

There is no questioning rural Pennsylvania’s political leanings. Take a ride through the Allegheny National Forest territory and the back roads of Forest and Elk counties and a fervor for President Donald Trump cannot be understated.

But it is not taken for granted.

Greg Rothman, state Republican chairman and senator, thought it was important to keep the momentum going. He made the trip from Harrisburg to “thank Republicans in Warren County for delivering in the 2024 election.”

While making the stop, he also looked ahead at some important issues and votes. In November, Pennsylvania voters will be asked whether to give three judges on the state Supreme Court more time on the bench.All three up for retention — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht — were elected as Democrats in 2015, and their party has held a majority on the state’s high court ever since, Spotlight PA noted. The seven-member court currently has five justices elected as Democrats and two as Republicans.

Rothman, who has visited 26 of the state’s 67 counties, says voters will have to turn the ballot over to cast their decision. “We think it’s important that people vote no,” he said.

That constant engagement is making a difference in Pennsylvania. Last year, the state flipped from backing President Joe Biden in 2020 to strongly backing Trump. That steamroll led to current U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick defeating incumbent Bob Casey — who previously won six statewide general elections going back to 1996.

Those are impressive results.

Republicans in New York state can only imagine such outcomes. Gov. Kathy Hochul remains on shaky ground while U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand — all Democrats — consistently face criticism.

Can the right make a dent in the major races impacting Albany and Washington? It’s doubtful.

While Pennsylvania and Rothman bring enthusiasm and energy, New York Republicans — especially since former Chairman Nick Langworthy won election to Congress in 2022 — seem content to play second fiddle.

Though a majority of upstate continues to vote red, state party leaders ignore the smaller counties where there has been consistent strength for years. In addition, they understand the mountain that is New York City.

With an overall population of 19.8 million residents, the Big Apple with 8.4 million inhabitants accounts for 43% of the state population. In Pennsylvania, the largest cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — traditionally Democrat — make up 14%.

New Yorkers keep hearing Hochul is vulnerable and could face a major challenge in U.S. Rep. and Trump ally Elise Stefanik from eastern New York and the Adirondacks. There’s even a crescendo of excitement at the possibility.

Stefanik, however, has not officially entered the race and the state Republican Party and its leadership in retread Chairman Ed Cox seems stale. Its message is failing to reach rural — and urban — residents. Recent results speak volumes. In New York’s biggest elections, the party keeps crashing.

Looking back on 2024, that was not the case in neighboring Pennsylvania. Its Republican leadership is reaching out to the communities — even staunch supporters — to spread the message.

Without question, it is working. “Pennsylvania voters have a history of upsetting conventional wisdom,” Rothman said last week in noting McCormick’s big 2024 victory.

New York’s political leadership, however, remains solidly Democratic. Republicans are banking on Stefanik to change that, but their previous candidates have been left to fend for themselves in the significant races. Consider these margins: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand beat challenger Mike Sapraicone by 18% in 2024; U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer beat Joe Pinion by 13% in 2022; and, in the closest race, Hochul topped Lee Zeldin by 300,000 votes in 2022 for governor.

Stefanik is finally a big name. But she has yet to commit. State Republican contentment with rural upstate victories — and a lack of passion and engagement for the major contests — has been the brand since Gov. George Pataki left office in 2006.

That is no reason for any victory lap.

John D’Agostino is editor of the Times Observer, The Post-Journal and OBSERVER in Dunkirk, N.Y. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 814-723-8200, ext. 253.