Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is running for reelection, traded barbs with her Democratic opponent Erin McClelland. McClelland also failed to secure the endorsement of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Garrity called for McClelland to “immediately correct her campaign finance report” after finding a mistake of about 10 percent more than McClelland has in cash on-hand.
“Comparing the two reports shows us that – either by error or design – Erin McClelland double-counted the same $10,000, resulting in an incorrect total that misleads the public and represents roughly 10 percent of her campaign’s cash-on-hand,” said Jim Tkacik, Garrity’s campaign manager. “This is simple, basic math. If McClelland can’t get this right, why should voters trust her to oversee $150 billion in taxpayer money?”
McClelland’s records showed $10,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5 dated July 9.
McClelland has made mistakes on her campaign finance reports before, according to published reports. On Feb. 28, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported that McClelland’s campaign improperly spent money on a race for political office without filing the necessary state paperwork.
On May 31, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote formal complaints were submitted to the Federal Election Commission by three Democratic elected officials. Additionally, the story detailed how McClelland has been sued previously for nonpayment of bills.
Stacy Garrity
(CREDIT: Facebook: @garrityforpa)
Asked to comment, McClelland came out swinging and denied there was an issue with her latest finance report.
“I am so glad to see that Stacy Garrity has finally emerged from her media coma,” said McClelland. “After refusing two televised debate requests and declining the endorsement interview of the Philadelphia Inquirer, it seems the only person in the race for treasurer she believes should be held accountable is me.
“Stacy Garrity has repeatedly made accusations of campaign finance impropriety in order to deflect attention from her alarming foreign investments of taxpayer dollars, such as her contract to invest the teachers’ pensions in Saudi Arabia, as well as numerous failures in the performance of her duties. Her preposterous accusations have already been twice proven unfounded by the State Bureau of Campaign Finance as well as the attorney general.
“That said, I would be delighted to have a televised debate in which I can elaborate further on the campaign’s decision to amend the cycle three report and move the $10,000 contribution, which she is questioning to the cycle four report to reflect when the check was deposited versus when it was received.
“In turn, I also have some questions on her job performance and questionable investments with taxpayer dollars which she has consistently dodged at every turn,” added McClelland.
“Why does she have a contract with BNY to invest the teachers’ pension dollars in the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange? How much of the pension fund is in the exchange and which companies is she investing in? Furthermore, the largest company in that exchange is Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia. Has she made direct investments in a foreign oil company supporting the crown prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who murders and dismembers reporters? Does she not feel that we, as Americans, should stand in solidarity with the victims and affected first responders of 9/11 who have filed a lawsuit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, listing evidence that Saudi intelligence assets were instrumental in planning the 9/11 attacks?” asked McClelland.
However, Penn Live reported McClelland has her facts wrong in her criticism of Garrity over Saudi Arabia, noting that the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, the State Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (SERS) said their plans have no direct investment in the Saudi stock exchange but rather, have limited indirect exposure to Saudi Arabia through commingled investment funds.
Also, the state treasurer is one board member for both SERS and PSERS. SERS has an 11-member board and PSERS has 15 members.
Tkacik said, “McClelland is not a serious candidate, but she is a serious danger to the commonwealth.
“Pennsylvania’s pensions have no direct investments in the Saudi Arabian stock market, and the treasurer is not empowered to make such investments. McClelland needs to peddle Saudi conspiracy theories because she has nothing negative to say about Treasurer Garrity’s record-setting term in office and to deflect from her own shortcomings.
“The facts are clear: McClelland misreported her campaign’s cash on hand by roughly 10 percent. This is unacceptable for a candidate running to be the commonwealth’s financial watchdog and would equate to a several billion dollar error on the scale of state finances,” he said. “She ran a quack drug rehab center that was cited by the state 20 times and lost $2 million in investment capital. She has been sued for unpaid bills and the FEC had to close down her congressional campaign committee because she stopped filing reports,” he said.
“The only thing serious about Erin McClelland is the danger she poses anytime she gets near other peoples’ money,” Tkacik said.
As for debates, he said, “Erin McClelland needs to get her own house in order” and to stop “wild conspiracy theories and endless excuses for her financial incompetence. These are issues that go directly to matters of fiscal competence and Erin McClelland continues to fail at demonstrating even a basic grasp of these things. Treasurer Garrity will continue to do the job to which she was elected.”
McClelland defeated state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) in the primary. Bizzarro, the establishment candidate, had attacked Garrity instead of his Democratic opponent.
But McClelland reportedly failed to garner the support of Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), after she criticized Shapiro when Vice President Kamala Harris was considering him as her running mate. Now Shapiro is returning the favor, the Inquirer reports.
The Democratic governor offered endorsements for Eugene DePasquale and Malcolm Kenyatta, the Democrats running for attorney general and auditor general, but left out McClelland.
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