Democratic voters in Pennsylvania are set to choose between State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie and small business owner Erin McClelland for their party’s nomination for the position of Pennsylvania Treasurer.
The winner of the primary will face Republican incumbent Stacy Garrity, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary and has held the office since 2020.
The state Treasurer plays a crucial role in managing the collection and spending of public funds, ensuring they are allocated appropriately and invested wisely. This includes overseeing investment funds and managing unclaimed property held by the state.
Bizzarro, serving in the state House since 2013 and chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, emphasizes his experience and government networking to enhance office efficiency. He aims to make funds more accessible to entrepreneurs from marginalized communities and establish regional offices to increase awareness of the treasurer’s services.
McClelland, a small business owner, highlights her firsthand experience in both the private and public sectors. She pledges to halt investments in foreign holdings and prioritize cybersecurity efforts within the treasurer’s office.
Earlier in her campaign, McClelland faced scrutiny for irregularities in fundraising reports, which were attributed to technical glitches.
Incumbent Garrity, the first Republican treasurer in over 15 years, led efforts to revamp the state’s unclaimed property system, resulting in significant returns to Pennsylvanians. However, her opponents question the reported figures.
Garrity also focuses on expanding the state’s 529 college savings program but faces criticism for investing state funds in Israeli bonds during the Gaza conflict and her support for efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
As the primary unfolds, Democratic voters must decide between Bizzarro and McClelland, with the outcome shaping the race for Pennsylvania Treasurer in the November general election.