Photos by Delaney Chase Candidate for Pennsylvania governor Stacy Garrity speaks with attendees at a fund-raiser.

The Republican governor candidate stopped in Warren County for an oil and gas fundraiser held at Cable Hollow golf course on Friday aimed at raising money for her governor campaign. She was joined by her running mate for lieutenant governor, Jason Richey.

During an interview, Garrity said her decision to run for governor stems from concerns about Pennsylvania’s economic performance and population decline.

“Pennsylvania has become so mediocre,” Garrity said, citing state rankings in economic growth, education, infrastructure and overall competitiveness. She argued that the state should be performing better given its workforce, natural resources and geographic location.

Garrity said one of her priorities would be creating opportunities to retain young residents and reverse population losses in communities across the state.

Pictured is Jason Richey talking with those at Friday's fund-raiser.

“We have the best people, hardest-working people,” she said. “We should be the hub of global commerce.”

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the growing debate surrounding large-scale data center developments in Pennsylvania.

Garrity said she supports a temporary pause on new data center projects while state and local governments develop policies addressing concerns about energy use, water resources and zoning.

“I’m for a pause, not a moratorium,” Garrity said. “Having clean air, clean water and also making sure you don’t hurt rate payers. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

She said data centers should be located on former industrial or brownfield sites and that developers should be responsible for providing their own power and water resources.

Richey criticized Gov. Josh Shapiro’s handling of the issue, arguing that state leaders should have established clearer policies before large projects were proposed. He also opposed state tax incentives for data center development.

“Pennsylvania has the energy that’s needed to create them. We have the water that’s necessary to create them. We have the brownfield and industrial sites for them,” Richey said.

The candidates pointed to the proposed Homer City data center project in Indiana County as a model, noting plans to pair the large-scale data center with power-generation infrastructure.

Garrity emphasized expanding Pennsylvania’s natural gas and energy infrastructure as a central component of their economic agenda. She said that increased natural gas production and expanded export capabilities could generate jobs and tax revenue while supporting allied nations abroad.

Garrity said Pennsylvania should be leveraging its natural resources more effectively and criticized what she described as uncertainty surrounding state energy policies. She also expressed opposition to proposals that could increase setback requirements for natural gas drilling operations, arguing such measures could discourage investment in the state.

Throughout the interview, Garrity and Richey criticized Shapiro’s administration, arguing that the governor has focused more on national political ambitions than state issues.

The candidates cited state spending levels, economic rankings and energy policy as examples of what they described as ineffective leadership.

Garrity also highlighted her record as state treasurer, pointing to Pennsylvania Money Match, a program that automatically returns certain unclaimed property to residents. She said the initiative was developed with bipartisan support and has returned millions of dollars to Pennsylvanians.

Responding to questions about rural health care, Garrity said her administration would seek ways to strengthen access to medical care in rural communities.

She pointed to telehealth opportunities, incentives for health care providers and regulatory reforms that could expand the roles of physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Richey said Pennsylvania could also make it easier for qualified doctors licensed in other states to practice in the commonwealth.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of maintaining rural hospitals and ensuring communities outside major metropolitan areas are not overlooked.

“I am always going to make sure rural Pennsylvania is not left behind,” Garrity said.

Garrity also reflected on her visits to Warren County over the years, mentioning tours of local businesses, emergency services facilities, educational institutions and recreational areas.

“Warren County has always been great to me,” Garrity said. “They’ve always been welcoming and opened up their arms and treated me like family.”