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PA’s Attorney General, Treasurer and Auditor Take Their Oaths of Office

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.”

GALLUCH: Support for David Sunday for Attorney General

As a Navy veteran who dedicated a significant portion of my life to serving our country, I understand on a deeply personal level the critical importance of leadership, dedication, and integrity required to be an effective public servant. That’s why I am wholeheartedly supporting Dave Sunday for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Dave’s journey, shaped by his service in the United States Navy on deployments to regions like the Persian Gulf and South America, resonates deeply with the core values instilled in those who serve: honor, courage, and commitment. His time in the Navy not only honed his leadership skills, but also provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted security challenges our nation faces. In the complex and demanding role of Attorney General, where crisis management and sound decision-making are paramount, Dave’s military experience equips him uniquely for the task at hand.

Beyond his military service, Dave’s track record as the York County District Attorney speaks volumes about his unwavering dedication to justice, public safety, and community well-being. Under his leadership, York County experienced historic declines in crime and recidivism rates, a testament to his effective strategies and proactive approach to law enforcement. Dave’s initiatives in combating the fentanyl epidemic, protecting seniors from scams, and prosecuting serious crimes like murders and narcotics cases underscore his commitment to safeguarding our communities and ensuring that justice is served.

What sets Dave apart is not just his impressive resume or his proven track record, but his genuine empathy and understanding of the issues facing Pennsylvanians. As a Navy veteran, he understands firsthand the sacrifices made by those who serve our country and is committed to ensuring that veterans receive the support and resources they need when they return home. His office’s advocacy for veterans’ rights and its efforts to address issues like Veteran homelessness and mental health demonstrate his compassion and dedication to those who have served.

Perhaps most importantly, Dave embodies the values of integrity, honesty, and transparency that are essential for any public servant. In an era marked by political divisiveness and distrust in government institutions, Dave’s commitment to ethical leadership and accountability is refreshing. He understands that the Attorney General’s role is not just to enforce the law, but to uphold the principles of fairness and justice that are the foundation of who we are.

As Pennsylvania Republicans prepare to head to the polls on April 23rd, I urge them to join me in supporting Dave Sunday for Attorney General. His leadership, experience, and unwavering commitment to justice make him the clear choice to lead Pennsylvania forward. With Dave Sunday at the helm, I am confident that Pennsylvania will become a safer, fairer, and more just commonwealth for all of us.

Dave Sunday’s Sunday’s collaborative approach to public safety resulted in a 30 percent decrease in crime during his first term, reductions in the prison population by almost 40 percent since its peak, and a reduced supervision caseload. A recent study conducted by IUP indicates that offenders in York have the lowest recidivism rate over a 5-year period, as compared to seven other counties. Additionally, since the implementation of York’s Early Termination of Probation Program, only 5 percent of the cases submitted recidivated within two years, resulting in a 95 percent success rate, now serving as a statewide model.

Dave is also a top litigator, a United States Navy Veteran and a dynamic leader who put himself through college and law school while working at UPS. Dave leads an office of prosecutors and detectives who together investigate and prosecute approximately 9,000 criminal cases annually.

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Williams Takes Swipe at Rival Copeland in Attorney General Race

State Rep. Craig Williams, a Republican running for attorney general, attacked one of his primary opponents, former Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland, on Saturday.

Williams, who represents parts of Delaware and Chester Counties, is a former Marine who served as a federal prosecutor in Denver and Philadelphia. He was also the chief prosecutor for the U. S. Marine Corps, as well as a Joint Terrorism Task Force member and deputy counsel to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Copeland, who lost to Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer in 2019, was also a federal prosecutor.

Willaims tweeted Saturday morning: “U.S. Attorney @McSwainPA said he had evidence of election fraud that DOJ shut down. AG Bill Barr said that was not true. The President called McSwain a coward. Kat Copeland was Criminal Chief under McSwain and was responsible for prosecuting election fraud. She owes us the truth.”

After losing the 2020 presidential election, former President Donald Trump blamed McSwain for not investigating allegations of election fraud in Pennsylvania. Later, when McSwain campaigned for governor in 2022, Trump told people not to vote for him in the primary.

“One person who I will not be endorsing is Bill McSwain for governor,” Trump said at the time. “He was the U.S. Attorney who did absolutely nothing on the massive election fraud that took place in Philadelphia and throughout the Commonwealth. Do not vote for Bill McSwain, a coward, who let our country down. He knew what was happening and let it go.”

In that primary, Trump endorsed eventual nominee state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), who lost the general election to then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D).

During the 2022 campaign, McSwain wrote a letter to Trump saying then-U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr had told him not to investigate or prosecute claims of election fraud but to turn over any cases to Shapiro.

“As part of my responsibilities as U.S. Attorney, I wanted to be transparent with the public and, of course, investigate fully any allegations,” McSwain wrote to Trump. “Attorney General Barr, however, instructed me not to make any public statements or put out any press releases regarding possible election irregularities. I was also given a directive to pass along serious allegations to the state attorney general (Shapiro) for investigation — the same state attorney general who had already declared that you could not win.”

However, Barr said that was not true. He told The Washington Post: “Any suggestion that McSwain was told to stand down from investigating allegations of election fraud is false. It’s just false.” Barr added that the assertions “appeared to have been made to mollify President Trump to gain his support for McSwain’s planned run for governor.”

Copeland could not immediately be reached for comment.

“For the other two campaigns, this party endorsement process has been about hiding their candidates from public debate and hard questions,” said Williams. “This is but one of the many hard questions Kat Copeland needs to answer. She was at the heart of this controversy, and she should tell us the truth.”

Republicans statewide are holding straw polls this weekend to indicate their pick in the attorney general’s race ahead of the party’s endorsement vote on Monday.

In addition to Williams and Copeland, York County DA David Sunday Jr. is also seeking the nomination. Sunday, who was the first to declare his candidacy last June, is believed to be the frontrunner.

On the Democratic side, candidates include Stollsteimer, state Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), former auditor general Eugene DePasquale, former Philadelphia Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey, and former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan. The state Democratic Party did not endorse any attorney general candidates at its December meeting.

The primary is on April 23.

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