Five Candidates Vie for Pennsylvania Auditor General Position

HARRISBURG — Voters in Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to choose from five candidates in the upcoming elections for auditor general set to take place on November 5. The election features incumbent Republican Tim DeFoor, who was first elected in 2020, seeking a second term. He faces competition from Democratic state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, along with candidates Alan “Bob” Goodrich of the Constitution Party, Reece Smith from the Libertarian Party, and Eric K. Anton representing the American Solidarity Party.

The role of the auditor general involves scrutinizing the expenditure of public funds to detect waste, fraud, and other financial malfeasances. This is accomplished through conducting financial audits and assessing whether state-funded programs are operating as intended.

Tim DeFoor, hailing from Dauphin County, holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Prior to his political career, the 62-year-old served as a special agent in the state attorney general’s office, focusing on Medicaid fraud investigations. Additionally, he worked as a fraud investigator and internal auditor for UPMC and various federal contractors.

In 2015, DeFoor attained the position of Dauphin County controller where he established the county’s initial audit division. Winning the position of Pennsylvania’s auditor general in 2020, he became the first person of color to hold a state row office in Pennsylvania and the first Republican to hold this particular office since 1997.

DeFoor’s first term included efforts to transform the auditor general’s office in a nonpartisan manner, as indicated in his reelection announcement. He emphasized his focus on completing necessary tasks in a straightforward manner throughout his proposed second term.

His tenure has included conducting local pension plan audits, overseeing volunteer firefighters’ relief associations, and ensuring proper handling of state funds by county offices and district courts. In September 2021, DeFoor released findings on the state’s pandemic waivers introduced by former Governor Tom Wolf, labeling the program as confusing and flawed. In addition, DeFoor’s audit revealed that a number of school districts were manipulating their fiscal accounts to artificially meet criteria for raising local taxes.

State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, noted for being the first openly LGBTQ individual elected to a statewide office in Pennsylvania, is challenging DeFoor. Former Congressman Jim Greenwood, a Republican, has endorsed Kenyatta, emphasizing support based on quality and character, beyond party lines.

Kenyatta accuses DeFoor of politicizing his office, particularly following the announcement of an audit regarding the state’s automatic voter registration system. Kenyatta argues that DeFoor’s actions support unfounded electoral fraud conspiracy theories. “DeFoor is paving the way for Trump’s Big Lie 2.0,” Kenyatta stated, alluding to claims of widespread election fraud touted by former President Donald Trump.

In his campaign, Kenyatta outlined plans to restore the Bureau of School Audits and establish a new Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections to ensure equitable treatment of workers across Pennsylvania.