This is the first in our series highlighting rank-and-file offices across the state and taking a look at the State Treasurer contest.
The state treasurer is one of three elected government officials in the commonwealth and plays a key role in managing state dollars. They can serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
State revenues are deposited in the treasury, and the office uses the money to pay contracts and employee bills. The treasurer also invests state savings and serves on the boards of two enormous public sector pension funds in Pennsylvania.
This position is commonly seen as a stepping stone to higher office; US Senator Bob Casey is a former treasurer.
Republican Stacy Garrity he is the incumbent president and faces a Democratic challenger Erin McClellandcandidate of the Forward Party Chris Fostercandidate of the Libertarian Party Nick Ciesielski and candidate of the Constitution Party Troy Bowman.
Stacy Garrity* (right)
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Confirmations
Pennsylvania State Treasurer starting 2021
BS: Bloomsburg University; certificate from the Institute of Business Management at Cornell University.
Residence: Athens, Co. Bradford
- He made it a priority to raise government transparency. Treasury’s Modernized Transparency Portal – a website where every Pennsylvanian can go online and see how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
- He supports legislation to make it easier for the Treasury to return wealth and aims to set another record year for returning the wealth they have earned to Pennsylvanians.
- Eliminate waste and hidden fees.
- Make education more affordable. These efforts earned the Pennsylvania 529 Plan its first-ever Gold rating from Morningstar, one of the world’s leading financial ratings companies.
- Goal-oriented and people-oriented when it comes to serving Pennsylvania residents’ taxes.
- In her second term, Stacy plans to continue fighting for a tax-deductible 401k retirement savings plan. for Pennsylvanians who are not currently covered by pensions or other retirement savings vehicles. She will also continue to advocate for PA Money Match, legislation designed to allow the Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property to its rightful owners. It will also continue to develop PA Able, a savings program that allows people with disabilities to save money without the risk of losing their benefits.
Erin McClelland (no)
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor; Project manager
BA: University of Pittsburgh ’97
MS: Chatham ’02
Residence: Harrison Township, Allegheny County
- Introducing labor and environmental standards while preventing human rights violations
- Strengthen contract oversight and correct lack of compliance by the Pennsylvania Legislature
- No more privatization of pensions
Chris Foster (forward)
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Entrepreneur, real estate sales specialist
B.A.: Marist ’11
Residence: Highland Park in Pittsburgh
- Ensure see-through and effective accounting of government financial assets and liabilities.
- Implement groundbreaking solutions to streamline processes, maximize return on investment and ensure responsible and effective employ of taxpayers’ money.
- Committed to increasing financial literacy among Pennsylvanians
Nick Ciesielski (Green)
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Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Westmoreland County
Design Engineer, LB Foster Company
BS: Carnegie Mellon ’14
Residence: Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County
- Privatize. Supporter of privatizing as many government-provided services as possible.
- Stimulate. Unlock natural resources and also promote the development of other methods of energy production, such as nuclear energy.
- Make money. Promote the employ of alternative assets such as gold and bitcoin, and ensure that the treasury can accept and hold these assets.
- Ensure that all government financial transactions and accounts are easily accessible and see-through to the public.
- I will refuse to issue novel bonds.
- Supporter of privatization of education.
Troy Bowman (Constitution)
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Information technology
Residence: Manheim Township, Lancaster County
- The national party lists 12 policy goals on its website, including privatizing Medicare and Social Security, eliminating “foreign alliance entanglements” and strengthening state power on many issues such as drug regulation and education funding.
Debates
In the News
- McClelland challenges Garrity for Pennsylvania treasurer. (Penn Capital StarOctober 18)
- 2024 Election Guide: Treasurer. (Pittsburgh City DocumentOctober 16)
- Voter’s Guide to the Pennsylvania Treasurer Election. (THAT’S ALLOctober 7)
- Stark contrasts mark the race between Stacy Garrity and Erin McClelland for AP treasurer. (Pittsburgh Postal NewspaperOctober 7)
- Who is Stacy Garrity, the Republican running for Pa. treasurer? (PA reflectorOctober 4)
- Who is Erin McClelland, the Democrat running for Pa. treasurer? (PA reflectorOctober 4)
- The AP treasurer’s race pits a Trump supporter against a Democratic newcomer. (Questioner from PhiladelphiaSeptember 30)
- Arguments over money management take control of the treasurer. (Central SquareSeptember 27)
- Race to watch: Contested race for Pa. treasurer. (WHYSeptember 20)
- Garrity-McClelland race preview for Pa. treasurer. (Erie Times-NewsSeptember 17)
