Three Republican Pennsylvania row officers took their oaths of office Tuesday.
Attorney General David Sunday, who was elected in November, took his oath. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Auditor General Tim DeFoor were sworn in for their second terms in separate ceremonies.
Sunday, the former York County district attorney, thanked his family, his former colleagues and those who helped him with his campaign. He promised to serve the commonwealth’s citizens with the same philosophy of teamwork that he had used throughout his working life, beginning in the Navy, at UPS, and then in the district attorney’s office.
The Attorney General’s Office works with individuals and organizations, “from police to district attorneys, to medical centers, and the behavioral health community, to crime victims and those returning home from incarceration, from organized labor to the business community and so many others,” Sunday said.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity
“My philosophy is rooted in two words: accountability and redemption. We absolutely must hold criminals accountable. At the same time, we need to embrace redemption for those who have been held accountable and seek to better their lives. Remember, 95 percent of everyone who enters prison will come back to society.”
“There is a power in employment…Magic happens when people work together,” he said. “There’s no substitute for an increased feeling of self-worth.”
“Citizens have the absolute right to demand that their government works to keep them safe from harm,” he said. But in addition to arresting those who commit violent crimes, complex challenges of mental illness and drug addiction are also large factors. “Access to behavioral health treatment is critical for community wellbeing. And as attorney general, I am committed to addressing this issue.”
As for the opioid crisis, he said, “We must work relentlessly to dismantle criminal organizations trafficking this poison, killing our children, while at the same time addressing the demand for these drugs by getting help for those suffering from addiction.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and former Gov. Tom Corbett (R) were both on hand and praised Sunday. Shapiro and Corbett were attorneys general before serving as governor.
At her ceremony, Garrity said, “Pennsylvania’s potential is unlimited. Our future will be even brighter than our past. And I can’t wait to lead Treasury in the bright days, months and years ahead.”

Auditor General Tim DeFoor
“It’s the start of a new year, the start of a new term for Pennsylvania’s three row officers, and the start of a new legislative session,” said Garrity. “We must put aside past disagreements, embrace this moment of opportunity, and find common ground. We cannot grow by division. We can – and will – grow by working together to make Pennsylvania a leader among states, and to make Pennsylvania a place where our next generation can succeed and prosper.”
Shapiro also offered kind words at the ceremonies for Garrity and DeFoor. And former Gov. Mark Schweiker (R) spoke at DeFoor’s event.
In his first term, DeFoor transformed and modernized the department through technology upgrades, piloting risk-based auditing processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of audits, and creating job opportunities with the department through programs such as the ‘Intern to Hire’ initiative, according to a press release.
“My first term was about building a foundation—one rooted in transformation, accountability, continued improvement and service to the community,” DeFoor said. “We built a stronger workforce that relied on institutional knowledge while giving the next generation opportunities. This foundation is important because it will last long after my administration is over. It is something for future administrations to build on and improve upon.”
DeFoor has made financial literacy education a priority. He launched his ‘Be Money $mart’ initiative to help everyone understand essential financial principles.
The program’s motto: “It’s never too early – or too late – to learn how to be smart with your money.”
“As auditor general, I have seen firsthand how a lack of financial education and awareness can lead to an often-unintentional financial crisis hurting our communities. It became clear to me that financial literacy is an important foundation for every Pennsylvanian to have, starting with our youth from kindergarten through 12th grade,” DeFoor said. “We must ensure that financial literacy is taught in every school in Pennsylvania, starting as early as kindergarten.”