HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians have a decision to make in a few short days, as race for state treasurer starts to take shape.
It’s a role often referred to as Pennsylvania’s financial custodian, overseeing $150 billion.
"The treasurer is responsible for investing and reinvesting Commonwealth funds and those are in the billions of dollars," said John E. Jones, a former federal judge and the president of Dickinson College.
The treasurer’s office handles any deposits or withdrawals and controls the state’s unclaimed property.
The treasurer is responsible for investigating any theft or loss and reviewing real estate and contracts entered into by state agencies.
Incumbent Stacy Garrity is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
The Army Veteran and businesswoman took office in 2020 and hopes to serve a second and final term in a role that can bolster political careers.
"I think any of those positions gives you the opportunity to do the things politicians need to do if they are interested in a next step," said Berwood Yost, director of the Franklin and Marshall College Center for Opinion Research.
On the Democratic side, State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro is looking to exit the general assembly.
Bizzarro has represented Erie County since 2012, formerly serving as a victim and witness advocate in the Erie County District Attorney’s office.
He’s facing off against mental health counselor Erin McClelland of Allegheny County, a former congressional candidate who trained under a former treasury secretary.
While the primary winner has yet to be decided, one candidate is already looking ahead.
"Bizzarro has actually almost ignored his primary opponent and has started to run against Garrity as if this were the general election," Yost said.
Though the treasurer position traditionally is not highly political, candidates are squaring off on national political issues, with Bizzarro criticizing Garrity’s previous comments related to election integrity and reproductive rights.
Voters will get to decide if it’s a winning strategy.
"There hasn’t been a lot of spending in the race, there hasn’t been a lot of polling that I’m aware of, so I’m not sure who’s ahead in the Democratic primary," Yost added.
Many of the races that would normally draw people to the polls have already been decided, including the primary races for president and Pennsylvania U.S. senator.
Yost said he’s expecting a low turnout for the treasurer race and the other row officer roles, meaning each vote will matter that much more.