Garrity announces bid for PA governor
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a decorated combat veteran and businesswoman, announced Monday she is entering the 2026 governor’s race, setting up a potential showdown with Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro.
In her campaign launch video, Garrity pledged to restore “integrity, fiscal discipline, and opportunity” to the commonwealth, while casting Shapiro as a failed leader more focused on national ambitions than Pennsylvania families.
“When I enlisted to serve in the military, I took a solemn oath to defend our country and honor her principles,” Garrity said. “Today, I’m announcing that I am running to become Pennsylvania’s next governor. And I’m giving you and your family my solemn oath that I will work hard every day to fix the problems Josh Shapiro created.”
She accused Shapiro of presiding over poor economic, education, and infrastructure outcomes, pointing to rankings that place Pennsylvania near the bottom nationally. Garrity also promised to avoid what she called Shapiro’s “scandals, unconscionable behavior, deleted emails, and coverups.”
Republican strategist Guy Ciarrocchi framed the race as a stark choice. “Someone who says he ‘gets stuff done’ versus someone who actually helps veterans, families, and taxpayers,” he said.
Shapiro, who is seeking a second term, has built his political brand around competence and pragmatism. He was briefly floated as a potential running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris earlier this summer, underscoring his rising national profile.
Garrity is serving her second term as treasurer, where she has overseen the return of more than $1 billion in unclaimed property to Pennsylvanians and expanded the PA ABLE program, helping residents with disabilities save nearly $200 million. She has emphasized ethics and transparency during her tenure.
Before entering politics, Garrity spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, rising to the rank of colonel. She deployed three times to the Middle East, serving in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Her military honors include the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars.
While overseeing Camp Bucca, a U.S. military detention facility in Iraq, prisoners nicknamed her the “Angel of the Desert” for her fair treatment of detainees.Born and raised in Bradford County, Garrity still lives near her hometown. She remains active in veterans’ causes, charities, and community events, highlighting her ties to small-town and rural Pennsylvania.
Her campaign positioned her as a strong ally of former President Donald Trump and pledged support for his agenda to protect Social Security, Medicare, and benefits for vulnerable Americans.
If she secures the Republican nomination, Garrity will likely face Shapiro in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races of the 2026 cycle.
“Over the coming months, I hope to get to know you and your family better and share all my ideas of how we can make Pennsylvania more affordable, bring more jobs here so our young adults have more opportunities to stay here, and how we can bring integrity and honesty to the governor’s office,” said Garrity. “In other words, I’m not just going to ask for your support, I’m going to put in the time to earn it. I hope you will give me that chance.”
DEVELOPING….
Linda Stein is news editor at Delaware Valley Journal.
This article was republished with permission from the Delaware Valley Journal.
