PA Primary Preview: Auditors General

In our continuing series, PoliticsPA takes a look at the contenders for the Democratic nominations for Pennsylvania Auditor General.

Auditor General

An auditor general — also called a comptroller, state auditor, or auditor of public accounts in other states — monitors the spending of public funds. In Pennsylvania, the department describes itself as the “chief fiscal watchdog of the commonwealth.”

The agency performs financial and performance audits of everything from district courts and municipal pension plans, to state-owned universities and commonwealth departments. The reports it regularly releases detail its findings and recommend fixes and policies.

The auditor general’s office accepts reports of “suspected misuse, fraud, or waste” of state tax dollars through an official hotline. It also provides financial literacy resources across the state through the Be Money Smart initiative to promote financial independence.

DEMOCRATS

Malcolm Kenyatta (D) vs. Mark Pinsley (D)

A pair of candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Republican Tim DeFoor in November.

Malcolm Kenyatta

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Philadelphia
• Experience. State representative, 181st Legislative District.
• House Assignments. Commerce, Finance, Judiciary, Liquor Control, State Government.
• Top Priorities. Rebuild the Bureau of School Audits, create a Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections, and use the power of the office to take on wage theft, employee misclassification, and union busting.
• Last Election (2022). Ran unopposed in general election. Lost to John Fetterman, 37-34%, in Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. 
• Endorsements. 
• Quotable. “I’m running for Auditor General because it’s time for the underdog to be the watchdog for Pennsylvania’s working families. To ask the tough questions, to help reimagine and streamline government, and to build coalitions to fix what’s wrong.”
• Education. B.A, Temple University; M.S., Drexel University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 3/4/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $60,313.36 | Spent: $83,991.12 | Cash On Hand: $112,177.72

Mark Pinsley

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. South Whitehall, Lehigh County
• Experience. Lehigh County Controller. Business owner.
• Top Priorities. Conduct a comprehensive audit on the underfunded public education system. Audit how the state supports county election officers and evaluate county election departments. Evaluate the state’s healthcare spending.
• Last Election (2023). Defeated Robert E. Smith Jr., 54-46%, in general election. 
• Quotable. “If you don’t have an extensive background in finance coupled with executive experience, you have no business being Auditor General.”
• Education. B.S, Kutztown; BSBA, Northeastern University; MBA, Indiana University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • Raised: $10,330.01 | Spent: $52,350.07 | Cash On Hand: $60,891.01