Kenyatta Tops Pinsley For Dems’ Auditor General Nomination

Philadelphian Malcolm Kenyatta defeated Lehigh County controller Mark Pinsley to secure the Democratic nomination for state Auditor General on Tuesday night.

The state representative won the contest with 64.1 percent of the vote, compared to 35.9 percent for Pinsley.

“I’d like to thank Mark Pinsley and Speaker Rozzi for a hard-fought race this primary,” said Kenyatta in a statement. “And I am so grateful for the support I received across the Commonwealth. I am honored to be your nominee and look forward to serving you as the next Auditor General.

“”I’m running to be the next Auditor General because it’s time for the underdog to be the watchdog for Pennsylvania’s working families. As Auditor, on day one, I will rebuild the Bureau of School Audits and demand accountability from all schools. I will also create the first-ever Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections to take on wage theft, employee misclassification, and union busting. Additionally, I will use the power of the office to measure and support efforts to make communities healthier and safer.”

“Malcolm’s overwhelming victory in this race is a big deal. Not too long ago, the idea that a gay, Black man from Philadelphia would be the nominee for statewide office in Pennsylvania would have been unimaginable,” said Brandon Wolf, National Press Secretary, Human Rights Campaign. “This victory is, first and foremost, a testament to Malcolm’s unflagging work ethic and the fact that Pennsylvanians know he will have their back as Auditor General. But it is also a message that Pennsylvania’s more than 4 million Equality Voters are engaged in this election and ready to propel Malcolm Kenyatta and a pro-equality ticket to victory in the General Election.”

Kenyatta will advanced to the general election is his race in the 181st Legislative District. Should he win both races, it is expected that he would resign from the House.

Pinsley’s auditor general campaign centered on his experience with audits as controller and a business owner.

Kenyatta has served in the state House of Representatives since 2019. He lost in the 2022 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Pinsley answered a call Tuesday night from LehighValleyNews.com but hung up without speaking. A second call seeking comment on the race went to voicemail.

Kenyatta will meet incumbent Republican Tim DeFoor in the general election.