Pennsylvania Auditor General DeFoor announces reelection bid

Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor announced Tuesday that he’s seeking a second term.

“As Auditor General, I have delivered on my promise to do the job as intended, free of political and partisan influence,” DeFoor said in a press release on Tuesday. “By incorporating the latest technology, we have streamlined the auditing process and focused our work on a risk-based approach.”

The Pennsylvania auditor general’s office serves as the state’s fiscal watchdog and is responsible for using audits to ensure that all state money is spent legally and properly.

DeFoor defeated Democrat Nina Ahmad by 3 points for the open seat in 2020, becoming the first person of color to win statewide office in Pennsylvania. He said since being elected, he’s focused on improving and transforming the office in a “non-partisan way.” DeFoor specifically cited how his office has conducted audits for schools, and advocated for financial literacy.

He was first elected to public office in 2015, becoming the Dauphin County Controller. He secured a second term for the countywide office before winning the race for state auditor general. He has more than 30 years of experience as a Special Investigator with the Pennsylvania’s Office of Inspector General, as a Special Agent with Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Office, and in the private sector.

Although then-President Donald Trump was the highest GOP vote-getter in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, DeFoor won 59 counties in the commonwealth, which is more than any other statewide candidate that cycle.

DeFoor was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Republican Party at its most recent state committee meeting. He appears to have a clear path to the GOP nomination next year, with no declared challengers so far.

“My first four years were about transformation and improvement; the next four years will be about ensuring the job gets done. Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve more and they can trust me to continue to deliver,” DeFoor said.

Two Democratic House members are currently vying for their party’s nomination for Auditor General: State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) and Mark Rozzi (D-Berks). The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is slated to meet in mid-December for its endorsement meeting.

This story is courtesy PA Capital-Star. The original story can be found here.