Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity will be among the invited guests at the annual State of the Union address on Tuesday evening in Washington.
Garrity was invited to the gallery President Donald Trump speech to a joint session of Congress delivered by Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-15).
A campaign spokesman said Garrity would attend the speech in her official capacity as state treasurer, not as a candidate, but Thompson announced her as his guest speaker earlier this month at the state Republican Party meeting in Harrisburg.
Spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury, Steven Chizmarsaid Garrity is in Washington for the National Association of State Treasurers meeting, which ends today, and that her presence at the speech will be part of a previously planned trip.
“This opportunity will allow her to gain valuable insight into national issues that may impact Pennsylvanians and the services provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury,” Chizmar said. “Attending the State of the Union address is an honor rooted in over two centuries of American tradition, and Stacy Garrity is proud to participate in the president’s address.”
Last month, Trump offered official support for Garrity against the Democratic incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro.
“Complete and total support for your candidacy to be the next Governor of Pennsylvania,” adding in all caps, “SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
In his post, Trump called her “America’s true First Patriot who has been with me from the beginning.”
Eugene DePasqualechairwoman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said Garrity is “beginning to cheerlead Trump” and Republicans “have a candidate who supports his policies. She’s not backing down, she’s redoubling her efforts.”
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17) said during Monday’s press conference call that Republicans have lowered the cost of living, noting that Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill” has raised health care costs.
“Stacy Garrity has called for the same policy to be adopted in Pennsylvania,” Deluzio said. “Western Pennsylvania has five hospitals facing closure. It’s about political courage. And I’ve never seen an ounce of courage from Stacy Garrity to disagree with Trump.”
“She is completely tied to the Trump administration,” she said Dr. Zeke Taylorcritical care anesthesiologist in southeastern Pennsylvania. “Since the beginning of the year, eighty-five thousand Pennsylvanians have opted out of Pennie coverage,” he said.
Closing a regional hospital like the one in Bradford would lead to a “health service desert”, Taylor said. “People will not be able to find doctors at all levels. This will increase costs for all Pennsylvanians.”
DePasquale added that in Elk County, it currently takes “almost an hour” to get to the nearest intensive care facility.
“Stacy Garrity is showing Pennsylvanians at every turn that there is no daylight between her and President Trump, and tonight, when she takes a front row seat at the State of the Union to cheer on Trump’s extreme and expensive agenda, will be no exception,” a DGA spokeswoman said Izzy Levy. “Pennsylvania’s working families clearly remain the focus of Garrity’s attention while her friends in the White House restrict freedoms, threaten health care and raise the cost of everything.”
