Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity made official Monday that she will seek the Republican nomination for governor.
Garrity, the state’s two-term treasurer and a retired U.S. Army colonel, launched her bid with a video that blamed Shapiro for the state’s budget impasse and rising costs for groceries and utilities.
“I’m not just going to ask for your support,” Garrity said in her announcement video. “I’m going to earn it.”
A narrator in the video accused Shapiro of spending his time “running for president and fundraising in California and other liberal states.”
In an interview published Monday by Fox News, Garrity said she wants Pennsylvania to use more of its gas and oil resources, supports school choice and wants “no boys competing against girls in sports.”
Garrity’s announcement video highlighted her accomplishments as treasurer, including efforts to return billions in unclaimed funds to residents.
If elected, Garrity vowed to be a “transparent governor” and promised to work to bring down prices.
On her campaign website and in her announcement, Garrity touted her support for President Donald Trump, who won Pennsylvania in 2016 and 2020.
Garrity has hinted at a run for months, including on social media, and would be the state’s first female governor if elected.
“I’m not as well polished as Josh Shapiro,” Garrity told Fox News. “I’m definitely not as good of a politician as Josh Shapiro, and he’s a prolific fundraiser. This is going to be a tough race.”
Garrity will first have to win the Republican primary next spring, with State Sen. Doug Mastriano teasing a second gubernatorial run on social media.
Mastriano, the 2022 Republican nominee and a U.S. Army veteran, has posted possible campaign logos and AI-generated images of people with “Doug 4 Gov” on walls in recent weeks.
In 2022, Garrity spoke at an event in Upper Makefield Township focused on getting Mastriano elected governor.
Shapiro, who is from Montgomery County, defeated Mastriano by 15 percentage points in the 2022 election.
The Democratic governor is a successful fundraiser and has a growing national profile, leading to rumors of a 2028 White House bid.
Shapiro, a former state representative and state attorney general, was on then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist for a running mate last year.
A Shapiro spokesperson pointed to comments the governor made last week, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he said he was focused on “doing my job of bringing Republicans and Democrats together to get stuff done.”
“Whether it’s Stacy Garrity or another flawed and extreme candidate who emerges to challenge Gov. Shapiro, Republicans’ eventual nominee has an uphill battle to take on the governor’s strong record of working across party lines to cut costs, invest in public safety, fund public education, and deliver for all Pennsylvanians,” said Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Izzi Levy.
In her role as treasurer, Garrity oversees more than 300 staffers and $170 billion in state funds.
GOP Congressman Dan Meuser was considered a possible candidate for governor, but he bowed out in July.
Due to Pennsylvania’s status as a bellwether state, the 2026 race for governor is being closely watched.
Advertisement
Meet Your Canna Coach: Personalized Guidance, Free for You!
Leave a Comment