Treasurer Candidate's Campaign Finance Woes Raise Concerns

The campaign of State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has called on her challenger, Erin McClelland, to immediately correct an error in her campaign finance report. The report allegedly shows a discrepancy in the amount of cash-on-hand, with McClelland's campaign double-counting a $10,000 donation. This latest issue is the latest in a series of campaign finance failings for McClelland, who has faced previous problems with the Federal Election Commission and has been accused of raising and spending money without properly registering her campaign committee.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Pennsylvania's Treasury

Discrepancy in Campaign Finance Report

The Garrity campaign has accused McClelland of double-counting a $10,000 donation from the Pittsburgh-based IBEW Local 5 in her campaign finance report. According to the campaign, a comparison of McClelland's report and the Political Action Committee report filed by Local 5 shows that the donation was only made once, but McClelland's report listed it twice, resulting in an inflated cash-on-hand figure. This discrepancy represents approximately 10% of McClelland's reported cash-on-hand.The Garrity campaign has called on McClelland to immediately amend and correct her campaign finance report to address this error. "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.

History of Campaign Finance Failings

This is not the first time McClelland has faced issues with her campaign finance reporting. Following two unsuccessful bids for the U.S. House, the Federal Election Commission administratively closed McClelland's congressional campaign committee after repeated warnings when she failed to file legally required reports.Earlier this year, news organizations reported that McClelland began raising and spending money in her campaign for state treasurer without first registering her committee with the state, as required by law. This lack of proper registration and reporting raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of her campaign's financial activities.

Importance of Accurate Financial Oversight

The Garrity campaign has emphasized the importance of accurate financial reporting, especially for someone seeking to oversee the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, which manages $150 billion in taxpayer money. "If McClelland can't get her own campaign finance report correct, why should voters trust her to oversee $150 billion in taxpayer money?" said Tkacik.The ability to properly manage and report on financial matters is a critical skill for a state treasurer, as they are responsible for ensuring the responsible and transparent use of public funds. Voters should be able to trust that their elected officials have a strong grasp of financial management and a commitment to transparency.

Calls for Immediate Correction

The Garrity campaign has called on McClelland to immediately correct the discrepancy in her campaign finance report. "We understand that financial mistakes happen. Especially when Erin McClelland is involved," Tkacik said. "But this is someone who wants to take charge of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, which oversees every dollar spent by the Commonwealth. You'd think she might be able to get her own campaign finance report correct."Voters deserve candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to financial responsibility and transparency. The issues raised in McClelland's campaign finance reporting raise concerns about her ability to effectively manage the state's finances if elected as treasurer.