Article Summary –
Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor and Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta compete for Pennsylvania Auditor General. DeFoor emphasizes his extensive auditing experience, while Kenyatta highlights his legislative work and vision for the office. Key priorities include school audits and labor protections.
Tim DeFoor Faces Re-Election Challenge from Malcolm Kenyatta for Pennsylvania Auditor General
Learn about the race for Pennsylvania attorney general. The race for auditor general between incumbent Republican Tim DeFoor and Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta is critical in overseeing state and local agencies’ use of taxpayer money.
The Pennsylvania auditor general serves as the commonwealth’s chief fiscal officer, scrutinizing taxpayer-funded agencies. As one of the state’s three elected row offices, it has significant influence through policy audits.
DeFoor, facing Kenyatta, the first openly gay person of color elected to state office, must defend his position. Kenyatta, a progressive Democrat from Philadelphia, previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022.
Tim DeFoor
DeFoor, a Harrisburg native, has a background in fraud investigation and auditing at various governmental levels, including a stint as Dauphin County Controller. He was criticized for a 2023 school district audit but defends his understanding of the auditor general role.
DeFoor explains his audits, like those on PennDOT, are standard and not politically motivated. Audits aim to objectively assess taxpayer-funded programs, though they have become politicized.
DeFoor plans to enhance office performance by recruiting skilled auditors, introducing efficient methodologies, and transitioning to a paperless system. He emphasizes workforce development and implementing audit best practices.
His initiatives include the “Intern To Hire” program and the “Be Money Smart” financial literacy campaign. If reelected, DeFoor promises to continue improving state government processes, focusing on healthcare and forensic audits.
Malcolm Kenyatta
Philadelphia-born Kenyatta, a Temple University graduate, has legislative experience in fiscal policy and commerce. He argues his legislative work qualifies him for auditor general despite lacking formal accounting background.
Kenyatta vows to resign from the state House if elected auditor general. He plans to reopen the Bureau of School Audits, establish a Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections, and enhance forensic audits.
Kenyatta highlights his legislative achievements in campus hunger initiatives and state licensing reform, showcasing his collaborative approach. His priorities include auditing school facilities and creating a public audit status system.
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