PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Pennsylvania voters have chosen their Treasurer.
Incumbent Republican Stacy Garrity defeated Erin McClelland (D) to retain her role as the Commonwealth’s Treasurer. She first assumed office on Jan. 19, 2021. This next term will end in 2029.
According to Ballotpedia, Garrity served in the U.S. Army in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008. She was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Legion of Merit for the deployments.
Garrity graduated from Sayre High School in Bradford County. She earned a B.A. in finance and economics from Bloomsburg University and a certification from the Cornell University Business Management Institute.
She takes credit for handling state savings programs for people with disabilities and students and for pushing the governor and Legislature to increase savings in the state's rainy day fund.
The treasurer position is often referred to as Pennsylvania’s financial custodian, overseeing $150 billion. The office handles any deposits or withdrawals and controls the state’s unclaimed property. The treasurer’s office is also responsible for investigating any theft or loss and reviewing real estate and contracts entered into by state agencies.
Garrity released the following statement after her win:
I am deeply honored that the people of Pennsylvania have expressed their confidence in my record by granting me a second term as your State Treasurer. This victory belongs to every Pennsylvanian who believes in responsible stewardship of our tax dollars, in transparency, and in a brighter future for our Commonwealth.
Over the past four years, we’ve worked together to safeguard taxpayer dollars, increase transparency in government spending, return almost $1 billion in unclaimed property, and expand programs that help Pennsylvanians save for college and retirement. We have made significant strides in holding Harrisburg accountable, but there’s more work to do. I’m committed to making every dollar count and ensuring that your hard-earned money is managed with the utmost responsibility.
Thank you to my family, my friends, my campaign team, and every supporter who knocked on doors, made calls, and spread our message of fiscal responsibility and accountability. Your dedication and belief in our shared vision made this victory possible.
As we look to the future, I am excited to continue working for you. Together, we will build on our successes and tackle the challenges ahead. Thank you, Pennsylvania, for your trust and support. I am honored to serve as your State Treasurer for another term, and I am ready to continue the work of making our Commonwealth a place of opportunity and prosperity for all.
On a personal note: the past month has been a difficult one. I have kept close to home as my father’s life came to a peaceful close. At 82 he put up a valiant battle against cancer and passed away early Monday morning. As someone wrote long ago: “Whether or not it is clear to you, the universe is unfolding as it should.” Tomorrow, we all get back to the business of making our lives in this world a little better.
May God bless the people of Pennsylvania and our nation.
