With 90 percent of the votes reported, it appears the Republican candidates have won their races for state treasurer, auditor general, and attorney general.
With Attorney General Michelle Henry not running, Democrat DePasquale and Republican Dave Sunday wrestled for the top job. Sunday, the York County District Attorney touted his experience in law enforcement. DePasquale, formerly the auditor general, noted his skill in running a large state agency. He also noted he had run several investigations ferreting out fraud and abuse.
Sunday carried the day.
“I just called @DaveSunday_ to congratulate him on his victory as Attorney General. Dave worked hard and earned this victory. I also want to thank all of the people who supported our campaign. Your energy and passion will always be with me. Thank you!” DePasquale said on X.
Incumbent Treasurer Stacy Garrity won a second term.
York District Attorney Dave Sunday
Garrity was challenged by Democrat Erin McClelland, who previously ran for Congress in Allegheny County. McClelland has a background in counseling and previously ran a counseling program. She worked for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, identifying and eliminating “systematic bias.”
Garrity sparred with McClelland over mistakes in McClelland’s campaign finance reports. McClelland attacked Garrity over investment choices for the state retirement programs. Garrity, however, noted she is one of many board members in charge of those accounts. Garrity also burnished her record of returning lost property to Pennsylvanians and improving a program to help the disabled save.
In a statement, Garrity thanked the people of Pennsylvania for reelecting her and her supporters for their help.
“Over the past four years, we’ve worked together to safeguard taxpayer dollars, increase transparency in government spending, return almost $1 billion in unclaimed property, and expand programs that help Pennsylvanians save for college and retirement. We have made significant strides in holding Harrisburg accountable, but there’s more work to do. I’m committed to making every dollar count and ensuring that your hard-earned money is managed with the utmost responsibility.
“As we look to the future, I am excited to continue working for you. Together, we will build on our successes and tackle the challenges ahead. Thank you, Pennsylvania, for your trust and support. I am honored to serve as your State Treasurer for another term, and I am ready to continue the work of making our Commonwealth a place of opportunity and prosperity for all.
“On a personal note: the past month has been a difficult one,” Garrity added. “I have kept close to home as my father’s life came to a peaceful close. At 82 he put up a valiant battle against cancer and passed away early Monday morning. As someone wrote long ago: “Whether or not it is clear to you, the universe is unfolding as it should.” Tomorrow, we all get back to the business of making our lives in this world a little better.”
Auditor General Timothy DeFoor started in the inspector general’s office, went to the Attorney General’s Office, then became Dauphin County controller before he was elected auditor general. He is the first African American elected to statewide office in Pennsylvania.
His challenger, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) beat Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley in the primary.
Kenyatta said he’s been involved in six state budgets, chairs the commerce committee, and serves on the banking, finance, and state government committees.
Auditor General Timothy DeFoor
DeFoor and Kenyatta tangled over multiple issues during the campaign with Kenyatta vowing to rebuild the Bureau of School Audits. He also promised to be a more labor-friendly Auditor General. Kenyatta also accused DeFoor of playing politics by putting out a misleading report on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) about a month before the election. That report suggested PBMs were overbilling the state government for Medicaid prescriptions.
DeFoor suggested Kenyatta was a career politician looking to advance to the next position. Kenyatta was a freshmen state legislator who overperformed in the 2022 U.S. Senate Democratic primary before losing to John Fetterman. He said he’d remain focused on the task at hand to make sure local pension plans are sound and make sure state money is handled correctly on the local level.
