DePasquale launches bid for Pa. attorney general

Democrat Eugene DePasquale has formally launched a bid for Pennsylvania attorney general, becoming the first candidate to enter the field for the state’s top prosecutor.

DePasquale, a 51-year-old who previously served as state auditor general, announced his candidacy Thursday morning, saying he’s running “to go after criminals and extremists who are attacking Pennsylvania’s freedoms.”

“As attorney general, my top priority will be protecting the people of Pennsylvania, including defending reproductive rights, making all communities safer, and safeguarding taxpayer and consumer dollars,” he said in a statement.

A native of western Pennsylvania, DePasquale served two terms as auditor general. He also served in the state House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013, representing York County. He made a run for the U.S. House’s 10th Congressional District and lost to the Republican incumbent Scott Perry in the 2020 general election.

DePasquale said his experience “as a protector and watchdog” will help him hold public officials accountable, defend reproductive freedom, safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect seniors from scams, and make communities safe from property crime and gun violence.

“Here in Pennsylvania, too many of our rights and freedoms are under attack by extremists — from criminals and big corporations to dishonest politicians,” DePasquale said. “I’m running for attorney general to take my experience as a protector and watchdog to go after the criminals and extremists who are attacking Pennsylvanians’ freedoms.”

Attorney General Michelle Henry, who will serve the remaining two years in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s uncompleted term as attorney general, previously told lawmakers she does not plan to seek election to another term in the role.