In a surprising turn of events, small business owner Erin McClelland has emerged as the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania treasurer in the recent primary election. McClelland’s victory sets the stage for a competitive matchup against incumbent Republican Stacy Garrity in the upcoming November election.
Despite lacking the endorsement of the state Democratic Party, McClelland secured 56% of the vote, surpassing her opponent, Ryan Bizzarro. Meanwhile, Garrity ran unopposed for a second four-year term on the GOP side.
This primary election for treasurer garnered significant attention due to heated rhetoric and scrutiny surrounding McClelland’s political fundraising reports. The Pennsylvania Treasury carries substantial responsibilities, including the management of over $150 billion in state funds and the oversight of high-profile programs like unclaimed property and college savings.
One particular area of debate during the primary campaign centered around the unclaimed property program. Garrity has claimed credit for upgrading and expediting the program, making it easier for Pennsylvanians to locate and reclaim unclaimed funds. However, Bizzarro has disputed these claims, alleging that Garrity’s changes are exaggerated and misleading.
The upcoming November election is expected to amplify the race between Garrity and McClelland. Democrats are determined to regain the row office they lost in 2020, when Garrity defeated then-incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella. The Forward Party has also expressed their intention to participate in the race, nominating Chris Foster as their candidate for treasurer.
As of April 8, Garrity held a significant financial advantage, with over $638,000 in her campaign account, while McClelland had raised $87,629. The final tally of campaign funds and the potential presence of third-party candidates will undoubtedly impact the dynamics of the November election.
