State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announces bid for governor's seat

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity officially entered the state's gubernatorial race Monday, capping months of speculation the Republican would challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro in the 2026 election cycle.

In a video announcement, Garrity, a Bradford County native, criticized Shapiro for being more focused on a 2028 presidential bid than governing Pennsylvania.

She blamed Shapiro for a late state budget, staggering utility bills, rising food costs and crumbling infrastructure across the commonwealth.

She also accused him of embarrassing the state by trying to cover up allegations of sexual harassment within his office.

"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 said in the video.

In a Monday morning appearance on Fox News, she said she would look to capitalize more on Pennsylvania's oil and gas resources to strengthen the state's economy.

"We really need to take advantage of what we have right under our feet, which would create a lot of financial breathing room for the commonwealth that we desperately need," she said.

Before entering politics, Garrity served 30 years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a colonel in 2016.

As the Abu Ghraib prison scandal rocked global politics in 2004, NPR reported that Garrity earned the nickname "the angel of Camp Bucca" for her humane treatment of detainees at an American military camp in southern Iraq.

Garrity viewed as GOP favorite

After losing a special election for Congress in 2019, Garrity won statewide treasurer races in 2020 and 2024.

She closely aligned herself with President Trump and boasted that she's returned more than $1 billion to Pennsylvania tax payers as treasurer.

Since the most recent conflict in Israel and Gaza began, she's invested $45 million in Israeli bonds, saying it was a sound investment and an important statement to support an American ally.

Garrity has been viewed as a favorite within Republican circles, especially since U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pennsylvania, last month announced he will defend his Northeast Pennsylvania district.

Democrats have already stepped up attacks on her, pointing to her support of the One Big Beautiful Bill, President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending plan that's expected to push more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid.

While Republicans are looking to unseat the popular Shapiro, they need a candidate who will at least compete with him.

Pennsylvania's 2026 election cycle will feature critical congressional and General Assembly races that could determine legislative control in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg.

Mastriano could make second run

Both parties will want a strong candidate who will draw voters to the polls.

Democrats believe they have that in Shapiro, who has gained a national profile and proven to be an effective fundraiser.

A morning Consult Poll released last month found Shapiro had a 61% approval rate in the battleground state, creating a challenge for whoever emerges with the Republican nomination.

Garrity now is the only Republican in the field, but state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Adams/Franklin, has openly toyed with another gubernatorial campaign.

Mastriano has posted social media posts featuring "DOUG 4 GOV" messages and asked followers to weigh in on which campaign logo they liked best.

Shapiro steamrolled Mastriano by 15 points in the 2022 election cycle, and many Republicans blamed him for disastrous showings in down ballot races.

Along with the governor's mansion, Republicans lost races for the U.S. Senate and vulnerable U.S. House seats. Democrats also regained control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in more than a decade.

However, Mastriano remains popular with the Republican Party's MAGA wing, and he's highlighted polls that suggest he has far more support within the Republican base than Garrity.

He has also been a vocal ally of Trump and was seen at the U.S. Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.