By Associated Press’s Marc Levy
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)—On Monday, Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer of Pennsylvania for two terms, announced her intention to run for the Republican nomination in order to challenge Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s reelection bid. This could result in a 2028 contest between a low-profile officeholder and a possible candidate for the White House.
In a statement, Garrity promised to boost our economy, create employment, and lower the cost of living for families throughout Pennsylvania.
In recent weeks, Doug Mastriano, the losing gubernatorial candidate in 2022, has hinted that he may run again, shattering the dreams of prominent Pennsylvania Republicans who support Garrity in the 2026 contest for governor and wish to see a clear primary field.
For months, Garrity has increased her criticism of Shapiro and made references to a run. She charged Shapiro with being lenient toward law enforcement and antagonistic toward her pro-worker, pro-energy, and pro-America stance in calls for campaign funds.
In a video that was made public on Monday, she referred to herself as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, emphasized her military experience, and promised to address the issues that Josh Shapiro has caused. “That includes rising grocery prices and Pennsylvania’s relatively high tax burden,” she said.
Shapiro has retaliated, denouncing her for endorsing Trump’s massive tax and budget cut plan. He claimed that she backed it because she was trying to win Trump’s approval and that it would harm Medicaid recipients and rural hospitals, increase energy costs, and cause the federal debt to skyrocket.
Garrity defended the law in her video, arguing that it would stop benefits for people who are here illegally and require able-bodied recipients to work for them. Trump hasn’t endorsed anyone in the contest.
In response to a question about Garrity on Friday, Shapiro stated that he would continue to support schools, create jobs, keep police officers on the beat, and unite Republicans and Democrats, while Republicans are free to concentrate on their political games.
By any sense, Garrity has a difficult assignment ahead of him in opposing Shapiro. In her two campaigns for treasurer in 2020 and 2024, Garrity spent less than $3 million, making her comparatively inexperienced.
The 52-year-old Shapiro, who has won three statewide elections, is known for being a disciplined communicator and a formidable fundraiser. In his lone campaign for governor, he spent over $70 million, shattering Pennsylvania’s campaign finance record.
After making Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ shortlist for vice presidential running mates last year, he has become a national celebrity and is considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate for the party.
Republicans are risking more than just removing Shapiro. As they attempt to mobilize enough people to protect their congressional seats and their majority in the U.S. House, they also want a respectable candidate at the top of their ticket.
Shapiro, a former member of the state House, county commissioner, and attorney general, has a following in the densely populated suburbs of Philadelphia.
Garrity, a 61-year-old from rural northern Pennsylvania, entered politics in his latter years.
Garrity was a longstanding executive for a northern Pennsylvania supplier of powdered metals and a competent accountant. She was also a retired Army reserve who served in Iraq as a colonel and oversaw the 800th Military Police Brigade’s Camp Bucca detention facility.
Garrity has been an active campaigner since defeating the incumbent Democratic treasurer in 2020, appearing at multiple Trump rallies. She was arguably the GOP’s most well-known stand-in for Mastriano in 2022.
Shapiro won by nearly 15 percentage points in 2022, an election cycle that Republicans would rather to forget.
Shapiro and Garrity have reportedly avoided partisan bickering over official issues and maintained a cordial working relationship. Before Garrity was sworn in for her second term as treasurer in January, Shapiro even gave her a heartfelt and intimate introduction.
Pennsylvania has amassed significant surpluses during her tenure as treasurer, helped by inflation-boosted tax receipts and federal COVID-19 assistance.
The strain on state finances was momentarily relieved. But Pennsylvania is becoming a perpetual deficit state again, and Garrity has cautioned that residents will have to pay higher taxes under Shapiro’s ongoing leadership.
In his capacity as treasurer, Garrity enhanced the department’s investments in Israel bonds, extended the department’s ability to refund unclaimed property, and retained a number of senior Democratic employees.
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