PA Primary Preview: Democrats for Attorney General

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

Attorney General

Pennsylvania’s attorney general oversees hundreds of employees divided among criminal, civil, and public protection divisions.

The Commonwealth Attorneys Act prescribes the office’s primary duties, which include prosecuting crimes ranging from drug trafficking to public corruption, directing statewide grand juries, defending state laws, and representing Pennsylvania if the state is audited or prosecuted federally.

The official mission of the office is to protect “life, property, and constitutional and consumer rights, so as to ensure safety and freedom for those living in and visiting the Commonwealth.”

The attorney general also sits on the Board of Pardons and appoints the state’s consumer advocate.

DEMOCRATS

Keir Bradford-Grey (D), Eugene DePasquale (D), Joe Khan (D), Jared Solomon (D), Jack Stollsteimer (D).

Five candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. The position has been viewed recently as a stepping stone to the Governor’s mansion, as both Josh Shapiro and Tom Corbett served as AG prior to assuming the executive position.

• Watch WHTM-TV Democratic Debate (March 12)
• Watch Philadelphia Citizen’s Ultimate Job Interview (April 4)

Keir Bradford-Grey

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
• Experience. Attorney, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads. Chief public defender for Montgomery County and city of Philadelphia.
• Top 3 Priorities. “My top priorities will include protecting access to vital services like healthcare and housing, ensuring financial stability by holding accountable those engaging in predatory practices, and tackling crimes committed in boardrooms, such as illegal gun distribution and pharmaceutical companies’ false advertising.”
• Quotable. “Throughout my career, I have pushed the envelope to advance the principles of the law so that they are applicable to our current societal norms and needs. As Attorney General, I’ll challenge powerful interests, from corporate polluters to predatory lenders.”
• Education. B.A., Albany State University; J.D., Ohio Northern University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • Raised $50,531.50 | Spent: $147,935.38 | Cash On Hand: $114,063.52

Eugene DePasquale

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
• Experience. Adjunct professor, University of Pittsburgh. Three terms as state representative. Two terms as state auditor general.
• Top 3 Priorities. “My top priorities are protecting our democracy, defending reproductive freedom, and protecting against corporate greed.”
• Last Election (2020). Lost to Scott Perry, 53-47%, in general election
• Endorsements. Philadelphia Inquirer
• Quotable. “I’ve got the spine to take on big corporations, big insurance companies, and to run complex investigations.”
• Education. B.A, Wooster; MPA, University of Pittsburgh; J.D., Widener University
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 3/5/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $88,041.67 | Spent: $132,135.44 | Cash On Hand: $94,116.01

Joe Khan

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Doylestown, Bucks County
• Experience. Attorney, Curtin & Heefner. Bucks County Solicitor. Assistant U.S. Attorney. Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia.
• Top 3 Priorities. “Protect Pennsylvanians from attacks on our rights, including reproductive rights and the right to vote, create Pennsylvania’s first-ever Housing Justice Unit to ensure that the Attorney General’s Office is doing its part to address the housing crisis and reimagine the Environmental Crimes Unit as an Environmental Justice Unit to enforce our constitutional right to a safe environment.”
• Endorsements
• Quotable. “I’m running because I think Pennsylvania ought to have an attorney general who can keep us safe, not only from crime but corruption and attacking our rights.”
• Education. B.A., Swarthmore College; J.D., University of Chicago
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 3/5/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $276,685.09 | Spent: $478,963.16 | Cash On Hand: $140,064.69
  • Debts and Obligations: $10,000

Jared Solomon

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Northeast Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
• Experience. PA State House representative. JAG Attorney, PA National Guard.
• Top 3 Priorities. “Protect and defend women’s access to abortion in PA, ensure that all Pennsylvanians can exercise their Constitutional right to the ballot box in free and fair elections and bring commonsense gun reforms to PA, including stronger red-flag laws, a ban on assault weapons, expanded background checks, and shutting the ghost gun loophole.”
• Last Election (2022). Unopposed in primary and general elections. 
• Endorsements
• Quotable. “I’m a proud Democrat who believes that good government can do great things.”
• Education. B.A, Swarthmore College; J.D., Villanova University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • Raised: $170,173.40 | Spent: $128,191.69 | Cash On Hand: $1,059,428.78

Jack Stollsteimer

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Havertown, Delaware County
• Experience. Delaware County District Attorney. Deputy State Treasurer. Assistant U.S. Attorney.
• Top 3 Priorities. Reducing gun violence in every community. Prosecuting wage theft and protecting the right to collectively bargain. Protecting our environment and women’s reproductive rights.
• Last Election (2023). Defeated Beth Stefanide Miscichowski, 61-39%, in general election. 
• Quotable. “I’m Running for Attorney General because Pennsylvanians deserve a leader with real experience. I’ve been on the front lines combating drug trafficking and gun violence, and I’m ready to take that fight statewide.”
• Education. B.A, Thomas Edison State University; J.D, Temple University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 3/5/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $352,833.10 | Spent: $637,204.70 | Cash On Hand: $234,464.15