Stacy Garrity

Last updated

Stacy Garrity
Stacy Garrity, 2024.jpg
Garrity in 2024
79th Treasurer of Pennsylvania
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 19, 2021
Years of service1986–2016
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars
Awards

Stacy L. Garrity (born May 17, 1964) [1] is an American politician, businesswoman, and soldier. She is currently serving as Pennsylvania Treasurer as a Republican, a position to which she was elected in 2020. She previously served in the United States Army Reserve for 30 years and through three deployments during the Gulf War and Iraq War, where she was called "The Angel of the Desert" by other US military officers. [2] [3] [4] She left the Army Reserve in 2016 at the rank of colonel. Garrity worked at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. from 1987 to 2021, where she reached the level of Vice President. In 2019, Garrity entered politics and ran for the Republican nomination for a special election in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, but lost to Fred Keller, who went on to win in the general election. [5]

Contents

In 2020, Garrity ran for Pennsylvania Treasurer against incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella, winning the Republican nomination unopposed. She defeated Torsella in the general election in an upset, having been outraised financially and consistently down in the polls. [6] Garrity went on to win reelection in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Erin McClelland.

Early life and education

Garrity is a native of Athens, Pennsylvania, in Bradford County. [7] She attended Sayre Area High School in Sayre, Pennsylvania and later graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in finance and economics, later earning a certificate from the Cornell University Business Management Institute. [8]

Military career

Garrity while in the US Army. Stacy Garrity US Army.jpg
Garrity while in the US Army.

Garrity served in the US Army Reserve from 1986 to 2016, reaching a final rank of colonel. While in the Army Reserve, Garrity acted as a Military Police officer. [9] Garrity was deployed three times during her military career: in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm, and in 2003–2004 as well as 2008–2009 for the Iraq War. [10]

Garrity was stationed at Camp Bucca in southern Iraq during the Iraq War. She worked to process detainees, manage family visitations, and act as a Red Cross liaison. [2] [11] It was here Garrity obtained the nickname "The Angel of the Desert" or "The Angel of Camp Bucca" for her affection when dealing with the prisoners housed at the camp. [2] [4] Garrity earned two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit before retiring in 2016. [3] [7]

Business career

Garrity worked at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. (GTP) from 1987 to 2021. [12] GTP is a producer of tungsten and metallurgic products based in Pennsylvania. Before leaving GTP to become Pennsylvania Treasurer, Garrity's final position at the company was Vice President for Government Affairs and Industry Liaison. [12] In 2018, while Garrity managed government affairs for Global Tungsten & Powders, she successfully lobbied Congress to ban the US military from purchasing any tungsten from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. [13]

In 2017, Global Tungsten & Powders was sued in federal court by a competitor company, Tungsten Heavy Powder and Parts, for defamation. [14] Tungsten Heavy Powder and Parts alleged that Garrity spread defamatory statements about them at an industry event. [14] The claims made by Tungsten Heavy Powder and Parts were dismissed in a court of law, and Tungsten Heavy Powder and Parts was ordered to pay over $5 million in damages. [15]

Political career

Congressional campaign

In 2019, Garrity ran for the Republican nomination in a special election for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional district after the resignation of incumbent Tom Marino. [16] Garrity lost the nomination to state Representative Fred Keller, who was supported by President Donald Trump and eventually won the seat. [4] After losing the Congressional nomination, Garrity pursued the 2020 race for Treasurer. [17]

Pennsylvania Treasurer

Election

Garrity challenged incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella for Pennsylvania Treasurer in January 2020, [5] winning the Republican nomination unopposed in June. Garrity charged that Torsella was mainly interested in the office to boost his profile and run for higher office, such as the state's governorship. She criticized Torsella's management of the office and alleged a lack of transparency, citing a D− rating given by the Public Interest Research Group in 2019. [18]

On November 10, 2020, a week after election day, Torsella called Garrity to concede the race, with Garrity leading by 78,000 votes at the time of his concession. It was the first time a Republican had unseated an incumbent Democrat for a statewide office in Pennsylvania since 1994. [6]

Tenure

Garrity (center) with Dan Meuser and Matt Cartwright in 2023. Dan Meuser, Matt Cartwright, and Stacy Garrity speaking to veterans, 2023.jpg
Garrity (center) with Dan Meuser and Matt Cartwright in 2023.

In May 2021, Garrity joined a critical letter sent by several Republican state treasurers to the Biden administration, charging that the administration was inappropriately encouraging financial institutions to stop supporting fossil fuels. [19] The letter said that the government should not "bully corporations into curtailing legal activities," but it also threatened that the state governments represented by the signatory officials may divest their state funds from any banks that no longer support fossil fuel projects. [19] Garrity's participation in this letter was criticized by an editorial in the Hazelton Standard-Speaker . [20]

In honor of National College Savings Day in 2021, Garrity had the Pennsylvania Treasury offer $100 to families that opened 529 college savings plans. [21]

In 2021, in her ex-officio capacity on the board of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System, Garrity joined a group of "dissident" board members opposing the contemporary management of the pension fund's investments, arguing instead that the pension fund should invest in low-fee, public investments. After failing to dismiss the fund's managers, the dissident group of board members, including Garrity's predecessor Joe Torsella, successfully blocked an investment strategy proposed by the fund managers in September 2021. [22]

In 2022, Garrity opposed Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf's proposal to award state employees with five days vacation from work if they got vaccinated for COVID-19, claiming that it would cost the state government one-hundred million dollars. [23] The Wolf administration claimed that Garrity's cost estimate was seriously exaggerated. Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome, whose position reports to the governor, estimated the cost of the vacation incentives to be $45 million. [23]

On May 6, 2022, Garrity appeared at a rally with former president Trump and 2022 U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz in Greensburg, at which she endorsed Trump's false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election. [24]

On March 15, 2023, Garrity joined Pennsylvania Senator John DiSanto in introducing legislation that will automatically return unclaimed property to Pennsylvania residents. [25] Pennsylvania Money Match will authorize Treasury to automatically return single-owner property for living individuals valued up to $5,000 to the rightful owner after a thorough identification and verification process. [25]

In October 2023, Garrity announced that she had purchased $20 million in Israel Bonds for the state's investment portfolio, bringing Pennsylvania's investment in Israel Bonds to a total of $56 million. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allyson Schwartz</span> American politician (born 1948)

Allyson Schwartz is an American Democratic Party politician who represented parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia in the United States House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015 and Northeast and Northwest Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1991 to 2005. She has finished second in a statewide Democratic Party primary twice: for United States Senate in 2000 and for Governor in 2014.

Barbara Hafer is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners from 1984 to 1989, as the Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1997 and as the Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel Bonds</span> U.S. underwriter of Israeli-issued debt securities

Israel Bonds, the commonly known name of Development Corporation for Israel (DCI), is the U.S. underwriter of debt securities issued by the State of Israel. DCI is headquartered in New York City and is a broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Dani Naveh is president and CEO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Torsella</span> American politician

Joseph M. Torsella is an American politician and former diplomat, who served as the Pennsylvania Treasurer from 2017 to 2021. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Torsella was the U.S. Representative to the United Nations for Management and Reform from 2011 to 2014. He previously was President and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2008. He was the Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education from 2008 through 2011. Torsella was elected as Pennsylvania Treasurer in 2016, losing re-election in 2020 to Republican Stacy Garrity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Pennsylvania elections</span>

Pennsylvania's state elections were held on November 4, 2008. Necessary primary elections were held on April 22.

The Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) is a pension fund for public school employees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Eligible members include all full-time public school employees, part-time hourly public school employees who render at least 500 hours of service in the school year, and part-time per diem public school employees who render at least 80 days of service in the school year in any of the 770 reporting entities in Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Reschenthaler</span> American politician and attorney (born 1983)

Guy Lorin Reschenthaler is an American politician, attorney, judge, and U.S. Navy veteran. A Republican, he is the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district and was previously a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 37th district. He served as a district judge, and in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) during the Iraq War. He is serving as the Republican Chief Deputy Whip in the 118th Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Democratic lieutenant governor John Fetterman won his first term in office, defeating Republican surgeon Mehmet Oz. Fetterman succeeded Republican incumbent senator Pat Toomey, who did not seek re-election after two terms. This was the only U.S. Senate seat to flip parties in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Muth</span> American politician

Katie J. Muth is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 44th District. Her district includes portions of northeastern Chester and southwestern Montgomery and southeastern Berks Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election</span>

The Pennsylvania Treasurer election of 2016 was held on November 8, 2016. Incumbent Tim Reese was eligible to run, but decided not to. The Democratic and Republican primary election was held on April 26, 2016, with each candidate running unopposed in their respective primaries. Four candidates would appear on the ballot: Democrat Joe Torsella, Republican Otto Voit, Libertarian James Babb, and Green Party candidate Kristen Combs. Torsella defeated Voit by a 6.45% margin, with Babb and Combs both receiving under 3% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Democratic state attorney general Josh Shapiro defeated Republican state senator Doug Mastriano to win his first term in office. Shapiro succeeded Democratic incumbent Tom Wolf, who was term limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election</span>

The Pennsylvania Treasurer election of 2020 took place on November 3, 2020. Primary elections were originally due to take place on April 28, 2020. However, following concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic the primaries were delayed until June 2, 2020. Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Joe Torsella lost re-election to a second term to Republican Stacy Garrity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Pennsylvania elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania on November 3, 2020. The office of the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees the election process, including voting and vote counting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Pennsylvania elections</span>

The 2021 Pennsylvania elections were held on November 2, 2021, to fill judicial positions on the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and Commonwealth Court, to allow judicial retention votes, and to fill numerous county, local and municipal offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Pennsylvania elections</span>

The 2024 Pennsylvania elections took place on November 5, 2024. On that date, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania held elections for the following offices: President of the United States, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania State Senate, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and various others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election</span>

The 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Pennsylvania. Incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is eligible to run for re-election to a second term but has not yet stated if he will do so. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election</span>

The 2024 State Treasurer in Pennsylvania was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the Pennsylvania state treasurer. Incumbent Republican treasurer Stacy Garrity was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Democratic candidate Erin McClelland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Pennsylvania Republican presidential primary</span>

The 2024 Pennsylvania Republican presidential primary was held on April 23, 2024, as part of the Republican Party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. 67 delegates to the 2024 Republican National Convention were allocated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States state treasurer elections</span>

The 2024 United States state treasurer elections were held on November 5, 2024, to elect the state treasurer and equivalents in nine states, plus a special election in Arkansas. The previous elections for this group of states took place in 2020. The treasurer of Vermont serves two-year terms and was last elected in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States state treasurer elections</span>

The 2020 United States state treasurer elections were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the state treasurer in seven states. These elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections.

References

  1. ↑ "Stacy Garrity – Pennsylvania Treasurer candidate, Republican".
  2. 1 2 3 Shapiro, Ari (June 18, 2004). "The Angel of the Desert". NPR . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Iraq War Veteran Stacy Garrity announces candidacy for PA-12". Potter Leader-Enterprise . February 14, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 DiStefano, Joseph N. "'Desert Angel' Garrity: Pa.'s new treasurer pledges openness, close scrutiny of pension funds". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Republican seeks party nod to run for Pennsylvania treasurer". Associated Press . January 24, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Seidman, Andrew; Brennan, Chris (November 10, 2020). "Pa. Treasurer Joe Torsella has lost his reelection bid, in a big upset by Republican Stacy Garrity". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Stockburger, George (November 10, 2020). "Bradford County native Stacy Garrity wins PA State Treasurer race". WYOU . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ Garcia, Isabel (November 10, 2020). "Bradford County native Stacy Garrity elected PA State Treasurer". WENY . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Republican seeks party nod to run for Pennsylvania treasurer". Ellwood City Ledger. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Meet Stacy". February 27, 2021. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ Brinkley, Joel (May 6, 2003). "In Victory for Powell, Bush Names Civilian Overseer for Iraq". The New York Times . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  12. 1 2 Corp, Global Tungsten & Powders. "GTP's Vice-President Stacy Garrity elected as Pennsylvania State Treasurer". www.globaltungsten.com. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Pa. state treasurer faces three challengers seeking his job". pennlive. October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Malfitano, Nicholas. "Defamation lawsuit involving rival tungsten product manufacturers brought to Pennsylvania federal court". Pennsylvania Record. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Southern District of California | Tungsten Heavy Powder of San Diego Agrees to Pay $5.6 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  16. ↑ "PA12: Stacy Garrity Announces Bid for GOP Primary". Politics PA. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Decorated Veteran, Businesswoman Stacy Garrity Announces State Treasurer Candidacy". January 23, 2021. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ Maisel, Matt (October 29, 2020). "Pa. Treasury election candidates at odds over integrity, transparency of office". WPMT . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Pa. Treasurer Garrity warns banks against divesting from fossil fuel companies". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Garrity banking on outdated energy sources". Hazleton Standard Speaker. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  21. ↑ Walzak, Josh. "State Treasurer Encourages Families to Save for Education with PA 529 Accounts". The Courier Express. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ DiStefano, Joseph N. "For the first time, rebels block PSERS management's investment advice at state's biggest pension fund". mcall.com. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "Cost of Gov. Wolf's vaccine incentive still unclear". ABC27. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  24. ↑ McGoldrick, Gillian (May 6, 2022). "Trump takes the stage in Greensburg, with a mixed review of Oz". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Harrisburg . Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Senator John DiSanto Announce Legislation to Automatically Return Unclaimed Property". patreasury.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Treasurer Stacy Garrity's decision to invest more Pa. money in Israel Bonds draws protest, Democratic opposition". WHYY. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Otto Voit III
 Republican nominee for Treasurer of Pennsylvania
2020, 2024 		Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Treasurer of Pennsylvania
2021–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.