WTAE 4: Stacy Garrity wins Republican primary for state governor after running uncontested
Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity will face off against Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro to become the next state governor, after running uncontested in the republican primary on Tuesday.
Garrity was the first and only Republican to formally declare her candidacy for state governor last year.
The state treasurer retired as a colonel in 2016 after 30 years with the Army Reserves and ran for her current position in 2020. Garrity claimed victory over the then-incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella.
Following Tuesday’s victory, Garrity issued a statement, saying, in part:
“When I declared my candidacy to serve as Pennsylvania’s next Governor, I promised ‘help is on the way.’ That statement rang true then, and even more so today with the overwhelming support of Republican voters from across the Commonwealth. ”
“The responsibility that Pennsylvania Republicans entrusted me with today is not one that I take lightly. My commitment is to work every day between now and November’s General Election to defeat Josh Shapiro.”
“Today, Pennsylvania ranks 38th in the nation economically, 39th in education, and 41st overall under Josh Shapiro’s failed administration. And those rankings have real-world consequences, because nearly 70% of our 8th graders can’t read at grade level, thousands of Pennsylvania families are heading for the border to find opportunity in other states around the nation, and Harrisburg is now spending roughly $5 billion more than the state brings in. All of these failures fall at the feet of Josh Shapiro, and the buck stops with him.”
“Make no mistake: it will take all of us to defeat Josh Shapiro this November.”
“Josh Shapiro has collected millions in campaign contributions from liberal billionaires and he is the darling of the national Democrat establishment. We need Republicans, Independents, and like-minded Democrats across Pennsylvania to step up, get involved, and help carry our message of a better future for Pennsylvania to all 67 counties.”
“I served our nation in uniform for three decades, and during that time, I never wavered from accomplishing the mission. But, to paraphrase President Reagan, turning Pennsylvania around will require offering voters an alternative to Josh Shapiro in ‘bold, unmistakable colors, not pale pastels.’ We will draw clear contrasts with Josh Shapiro’s failed policies, corruption, and scandals that have embarrassed our Commonwealth, while offering a positive vision for Pennsylvania’s future: one built on strong leadership that empowers the 13 million Pennsylvanians who are the beating heart of the Keystone State.”
She will now battle for the governor’s seat against Shapiro, who won and also ran uncontested for the democratic side, in the November 2026 General Election.
