Stacy Garrity Launches Pennsylvania Governor Bid

A New Political Challenge in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, has officially announced her bid for the governor's office, setting the stage for a potential showdown with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro in the 2026 election. As a second-term state treasurer, Garrity is term-limited and now looks to make history as the first female governor of Pennsylvania.

Garrity, known for her strong support of former President Donald Trump and her fiscal conservative views, has also taken a public stance against abortion. Her announcement comes amid growing speculation about the political landscape in the state, particularly within the Republican Party. While current State Senator Doug Mastriano, the 2022 Republican nominee, is still considering a second run, Garrity is positioning herself as a viable candidate for the GOP nomination.

Over the past few months, Garrity has been subtly hinting at her interest in the governor’s mansion through social media and interviews. These hints have become more direct in recent weeks, including the release of an attack ad targeting Shapiro. In her campaign announcement video, she criticized Shapiro for lacking transparency and being more focused on higher office than addressing Pennsylvania’s issues.

“When I enlisted to serve in the military, I took a solemn oath to defend our country and to honor her principles,” Garrity said in the video. “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.”

Garrity’s campaign has already made waves, as she recently became the top vote-getter in Pennsylvania’s state-level politics. She has long been considered a leading prospect for Republicans hoping to challenge Shapiro, who is widely seen as a popular first-term governor.

Shapiro, who won the 2022 election by a significant margin, is rumored to be eyeing a run for the presidency in 2028. During the 2022 cycle, he avoided debates and set new spending records. When asked about Garrity’s potential candidacy, Shapiro declined to comment directly, instead focusing on his plans to create jobs, fund schools, and improve law enforcement in Pennsylvania.

Garrity, however, has centered her campaign on challenging Shapiro and bringing new leadership to the state. In private emails obtained by The Inquirer, she urged GOP officials to choose a strong candidate to protect the party’s majority in the U.S. House and the state Senate. She warned that if the GOP fails to present a strong gubernatorial candidate, it could lose key seats and give Democrats more power.

“If we don’t have a strong candidate at the top of the ballot in Pennsylvania, President Trump could end up spending his last two years in office fighting off baseless impeachment proceedings,” she wrote.

Who Is Stacy Garrity?

Garrity is one of the few women serving in statewide offices in Pennsylvania. A retired U.S. Army colonel and former corporate executive, she has managed to carve out a reputation for transparency and efficiency in her role as treasurer. She has not been involved in Pennsylvania politics for long but has risen quickly as a prominent figure in the Republican Party.

Garrity’s political journey began in 2020 when she defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella in a long-shot campaign. Despite being outspent 11-to-1, she managed to win the race. She still needs to secure the Pennsylvania GOP endorsement, which will be decided in September, and then win the primary election in the spring.

Top members of the state GOP and county chairs have publicly supported Garrity, making her the favorite for the nomination. Her military background, including her time in Iraq where she earned the nickname “the Angel of the Desert,” has added to her credibility and appeal.

Garrity has remained a staunch Trump supporter, appearing at multiple rallies and promoting his false claim that he won the 2020 election. She has also been vocal about her anti-abortion stance, even advertising pro-life merchandise in 2022.

While she has praised Shapiro in the past for their good working relationship, her tone has shifted as she prepares for the governor’s race. In private emails, she expressed confidence in her ability to defeat Shapiro, calling the race tough but promising to bring grit and dedication to the campaign.

Mastriano, another potential contender, has suggested the possibility of running with Garrity as lieutenant governor, but she has not commented on the idea. Mastriano has yet to decide whether he will enter the race, but he continues to tease a potential run.

As the 2026 election approaches, the political dynamics in Pennsylvania are shifting, with Garrity positioning herself as a formidable challenger to Shapiro and a key player in the Republican Party’s strategy.