Stacy Garrity

Stacy L. Garrity (born May 17, 1964) is an American politician, businesswoman, and soldier. She was elected as a member of the Republican Party to the position of Pennsylvania Treasurer in 2020. She previously served in the United States Army for 30 years during Operation Desert Storm and through three tours during the Iraq War, where she earned the nickname "The Angel of the Desert".[1][2] She retired in 2016 at the rank of colonel and became vice president at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. 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.[3]

Stacy Garrity
39th Treasurer of Pennsylvania
Assumed office
January 19, 2021
GovernorTom Wolf
Preceded byJoe Torsella
Personal details
Born (1964-05-17) May 17, 1964
Athens, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Daniel Gizzi
EducationBloomsburg University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1986–2016
Rank Colonel
Battles/warsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsBronze Star (2)
Legion of Merit

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.[4]

Early life

Garrity is a native of Athens, Pennsylvania in Bradford County.[5] 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.[6]

Military career

Garrity was stationed at Camp Bucca in southern Iraq during the Iraq War. There she worked to process detainees, manage family visitations, and act as a Red Cross liaison.[1][7] 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.[1] She earned two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit before retiring in 2016.[2][5]

Pennsylvania State Treasurer
Main article: 2020 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

Garrity challenged incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella for Pennsylvania Treasurer in January 2020,[3] 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.[8]

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.[4]

References
  1. Shapiro, Ari (June 18, 2004). "The Angel of the Desert". NPR. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  2. "Iraq War Veteran Stacy Garrity announces candidacy for PA-12". Potter Leader-Enterprise. February 14, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. "Republican seeks party nod to run for Pennsylvania treasurer". Associated Press. January 24, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. 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.
  5. Stockburger, George (November 10, 2020). "Bradford County native Stacy Garrity wins PA State Treasurer race". WYOU. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. Garcia, Isabel (November 10, 2020). "Bradford County native Stacy Garrity elected PA State Treasurer". WENY. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. Brinkley, Joel (May 6, 2003). "In Victory for Powell, Bush Names Civilian Overseer for Iraq". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. Maisel, Matt (October 29, 2020). "Pa. Treasury election candidates at odds over integrity, transparency of office". WPMT. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Joe Torsella		 Treasurer of Pennsylvania
2021–present		 Incumbent
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