PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity kicks off her gubernatorial campaign in Erie

Current state treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity kicked off her campaign in Erie Monday night.

Erie has always been a big political stop for campaigns, and this is no exception. That’s why the woman, who hopes to become Pennsylvania’s first female governor, kicked off her campaign here Monday night.

“We chose Erie because this is where I first started my campaign for state treasurer in 2020, so what a fitting place to be. Plus, Erie is the bellwether. I just have a totally different vision for what our commonwealth could be. We don’t have to be at the bottom of the pack. We should be leading the nation,” Garrity said.

Current Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity received an overwhelming amount of support this past weekend from the Republican Party. Over the weekend, she received nearly unanimous endorsement from the PA GOP in an attempt to possibly bypass a primary.

And if that support carries through the May primary, Garrity would face off against incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who won reelection in 2022 with more than 56% of the vote.

Garrity has served as treasurer since 2021 and also has prior military service.

“I just think that Stacy is truly a person that believes that she can direct this state in a better direction than it is right now. I think everybody sees honesty when she talks,” said Tom Eddy, the Erie County Republican chairman.

Garrity has been critical of Josh Shapiro, questioning his ambition, claiming he’s only using the governor’s office as a stepping stone towards the presidency. And that criticism is what prompted her campaign slogan.

“The slogan is ‘Help is on the way.’ I want this office because I want to serve all Pennsylvanians. Every day that I get to serve Pennsylvanians right now is a blessing. I’m not using this office as a stepping stone for another office.”

Garrity is the first Republican to throw her hat into the 2026 race for governor of the Commonwealth.