Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity is expected to win her re-election bid on Tuesday unofficial data has appeareddefeating Democrat Erin McClelland 52% to 45%. The Associated Press called the race shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Her campaign focused on her military experience and successes in office, based on the record amounts of unclaimed property she returned to Pennsylvanians and efforts to expand the availability of state-backed savings accounts.
“I am deeply honored that the people of Pennsylvania have expressed confidence in my achievements by giving me a second term as state treasurer,” Garrity said in a statement announcing his victory. “This victory belongs to every Pennsylvanian who believes in responsible stewardship of our tax dollars, transparency and a brighter future for our community.”
Garrity frequently campaigned with Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump. She said pushing for the creation of a tax-deductible, 401k-style retirement savings program would be a priority.
McClelland, who has experience managing drug rehabilitation programs in Pennsylvania, had an uphill battle from the beginning. In the April primary, she defeated the state Democratic Party’s preferred candidate, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), despite a fundraising gap that surprised many observers.
When Gov. Josh Shapiro was being considered for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, McClelland publicly criticized his past handling of sexual harassment allegations made against a top aide in his office. That drew criticism from some influential state Democrats. Shapiro, in particular, refused to endorse her, even though he supported other Democrats running for rank-and-file office.
Garrity’s campaign also had its problems. In January 2021, she spoke at a rally in Harrisburg calling for the decertification of Pennsylvania’s presidential election results, even though she won her treasurer’s race on the same ticket. In 2022, she joined Trump at a rally and appeared to confirm her belief that the election was illegitimate. Her 2024 re-election campaign, however, attempted to refute these claims.
During the campaign, the two candidates frequently exchanged barbs. McClelland has often criticized Garrity’s decision to invest in Israeli bonds after the country went to war in Gaza. Garrity tried to portray McClelland as inexperienced.
“As we look to the future, I am excited to continue working for you,” Garrity said in her statement on election night. “Together we will build on our successes and face the upcoming challenges. Thank you, Pennsylvania, for your trust and support. I am honored to serve as state treasurer for another term.”
