Pennsylvania
Pa. election 2024: A complete guide to the primary candidates for auditor general
This story originally appeared on Spotlight PA.
During the April 23 primary election, Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans will pick their parties’ candidates for state auditor general, one of the commonwealth’s three elected row officers.
The winners will face each other during the Nov. 5 general election.
This year, incumbent Tim DeFoor is the only candidate on the Republican ballot. Democrats will choose between two candidates — Philadelphia state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley.
Pennsylvania’s primaries are closed, so only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates in their parties’ respective races during these spring contests. (Unaffiliated and third-party voters can vote on statewide ballot questions, local referenda, and special elections; all voters can participate in candidate elections in November.)
The auditor general monitors how public dollars are spent, to catch fraud and graft if they occur. The office does this by conducting financial audits, and monitoring whether state-funded programs are doing what they’re supposed to.
The auditor general is elected for a four-year term, and an individual can hold the role for a maximum of two terms.
Pennsylvania created the position as a politically appointed office in 1809. In 1850, it became an elected position. There have been 50 auditors general in Pennsylvania history, and this year’s incumbent was the 41st chosen by popular vote.
Since the office’s creation, 25 Republicans and 22 Democrats have held the position (the three other officeholders belonged to now-defunct third parties).
This guide may be updated with additional information as the primary election approaches.
Table of Contents
What does Pennsylvania’s auditor general do?
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.
Democratic candidates
Malcolm Kenyatta
Website
A native of Philadelphia, Kenyatta graduated from Temple University and Drexel University before working as a community activist and on diversity and inclusion efforts at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
He was elected to his North Philly-based seat in 2018 and became the first openly LGBTQ person of color to serve in the General Assembly. Elected at 28, he was also one of the state’s youngest-ever representatives.
Since taking office, Kenyatta has been an outspoken progressive, giving fiery speeches that often go viral. He supports a higher minimum wage, stricter gun laws, and LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. He’s been a chief proponent of nondiscrimination legislation in particular, sponsoring a long-sought bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes under Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act.
He’s also sponsored legislation on less high-profile issues, such as establishing a state cybersecurity board or adding clawback language to all state grant contracts. However, in the divided General Assembly, few of these issues have won bipartisan support, and none have yet become law.
In addition to running for auditor general, Kenyatta is seeking reelection to the state House.
Kenyatta has dabbled in national politics, serving as a surrogate for President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. In 2023, Biden appointed Kenyatta the chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.
Kenyatta was the first openly LGBTQ person of color to seek a U.S. Senate seat — a bid he lost in the 2022 primary election to U.S. Sen. John Fetterman.
On his website, Kenyatta says he wants to be 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 the coalitions to fix what’s wrong.”
According to his campaign website, Kenyatta would do the following if elected:
- Create a Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections to investigate “wage theft and union busting,” and ensure businesses follow labor laws concerning independent contractors.
- Take back responsibility for annual school compliance audits from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, a change the current auditor general made in 2022.
- Ensure hospital nonprofits and long-term care providers disclose their use of state dollars.
- Review the state’s approach to reducing gun violence.
Kenyatta has accused his Democratic auditor general opponent, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, of racism — a claim Pinsley said is without merit.
In a Ring video that circulated on social media, Kenyatta is seen telling a constituent, “There’s the guy Mark Pinsley, who I told you don’t like Black people.”
The video was recorded inside the home of the mother-in-law of one of Kenyatta’s former state House challengers, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. That candidate, Jon Hankins, was recently removed from the primary ballot following a residency challenge.
In a statement to news outlets, Kenyatta did not explain the basis for the accusation, instead calling the video “dirty political tricks.” Pinsley said the accusation is false and told Lehigh Valley News that it “doesn’t show good temperament.”
Endorsements: Pennsylvania Democratic Party; unions including the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers and the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council; the Working Families Party; Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey; seven members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation; and members of the state legislature, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia.
Mark Pinsley
Website
Pinsley graduated from Northeastern University and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran who has owned and run businesses for three decades.
He served as a commissioner in South Whitehall Township, and unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 2018 and 2022.
Pinsley is currently Lehigh County controller, a position he won for the first time in 2019. He won reelection last year before announcing his campaign for state office on Dec. 1.
In that role, Pinsley has developed a reputation as a progressive. For example, he pitched moving county money out of Wells Fargo because its political action committee donated to anti-abortion candidates. (In an email, Pinsley said the county released a request for proposals but none of the vendors “had both the necessary insurance coverage and abstained from political donation.” The county is still banking with Wells Fargo, though Pinsley said, “We managed to reduce our fees by approximately $100,000.”)
Pinsley provides other highlights of his tenure as county controller on his campaign website, including an investigation into what he called the “systemic overdiagnosis” of medical child abuse (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy) in the area.
“My resume and my record are beyond question, and the Republican Party won’t be able to paint me as extreme or unqualified,” Pinsley told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “… I am the only candidate who knows the job, has done the job, and can win the job.”
As Pennsylvania’s auditor general, Pinsley says he will “audit for impact,” which he defines as helping citizens, enforcing policy, and eliminating waste, in addition to acting as a financial watchdog.
Pinsley says his top goals as auditor general include:
- Conducting a “sweeping, comprehensive audit” of the Pennsylvania public education system, which he called “terribly underfunded.”
- Evaluating county election departments and the support they receive from the state to “ensure Pennsylvania invests in and rigorously defends democracy.”
- Looking at the effectiveness of the state’s workforce development programs.
- Finding savings in state health care spending.
Pinsley has said that as auditor general he wants to prevent state money from being spent at companies that support anti-abortion causes, audit wage theft, and study the economic impact of gun violence.
In February, the Morning Call and The Inquirer reported that Pinsley’s campaign had submitted nominating petitions that contained allegedly forged signatures, including those of several elected officials.
In an email to Spotlight PA, Pinsley said no objections had been raised with the Department of State.
“Certain individuals have chosen alternative avenues to voice their concerns, seemingly bypassing the formal process and using the media as their primary source to issue complaints,” he said. “The deviation from formal procedures raises questions regarding the genuine intent behind these actions, leading us to believe their motivations may extend beyond a sincere desire to address the issues. Instead, garnering media attention may be the primary objective.”
His Democratic opponent, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, has accused Pinsley of racism — a claim Pinsley said is without merit.
In a Ring video that circulated on social media, Kenyatta is seen telling a constituent, “There’s the guy Mark Pinsley, who I told you don’t like Black people.”
The video was recorded inside the home of the mother-in-law of one of Kenyatta’s former state House challengers, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. That candidate, Jon Hankins, was recently removed from the primary ballot following a residency challenge.
In a statement to news outlets, Kenyatta did not explain the basis for the accusation, instead calling the video “dirty political tricks.” Pinsley said the accusation is false and told Lehigh Valley News that it “doesn’t show good temperament.”
Endorsements: VoteVets; Parents’ Medical Rights Group.
Some Pennsylvania towns make it easy to feel included within a day of arriving. In Lititz, summer concerts at Lititz Springs Park turn into informal reunions, with families setting up lawn chairs side by side and local shop owners joining once they lock their doors for the evening. In Boiling Springs, the path around Children’s Lake doubles as a daily check-in point where walkers greet each other by name before drifting into the cafés along Front Street. And in Ligonier, the Diamond and its bandstand pull residents downtown for markets and community events that rely on volunteers rather than outside organizers. The same pattern carries through the rest of the towns on our list.
Lititz
Lititz is in Lancaster County, about 6 miles north of the city of Lancaster. Founded in 1756, the town was named after a castle in Bohemia and initially served as a Moravian congregation settlement. Lititz is home to the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, established in 1861 as the first commercial pretzel bakery in the United States.
Lititz Springs Park, a historic community hub since 1756, hosts various yearly events, notably the well-known Lititz Fourth of July Celebration. For dining, the Appalachian Brewing Company provides locally brewed beers and a distinctive menu showcasing regional dishes. The Wilbur Chocolate Factory, a landmark since the late 1800s, includes a museum and shop where visitors can explore chocolate-making processes and buy unique confections.
Boiling Springs
Boiling Springs, in Cumberland County, owes its name to the natural artesian springs that maintain a constant temperature and were crucial to early ironworks in the area. Established in the 18th century, it is also part of the Appalachian Trail community, underscoring its long-standing connection to nature and history. The town’s historic district includes the Iron Furnace, dating to 1760 and a testament to Boiling Springs’ early industrial role.
The town features a variety of attractions for visitors and residents. Allenberry Resort and Playhouse, a historic venue since the mid-20th century, provides entertainment, dining, and lodging options. The Boiling Springs Tavern, founded in 1832, offers classic American cuisine in a historic environment. For outdoor enjoyment, Children’s Lake is perfect for fishing and relaxing walks, and the Appalachian Trail runs through the center of the community, offering great hiking opportunities.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe sits in the Lehigh Gorge in eastern Pennsylvania, and was originally known as Mauch Chunk and played a pivotal role in the coal and railroad industries. Renamed in 1954 to honor the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe, the town retains a Victorian era charm, with much of its architecture preserved and celebrated. This heritage is evident in attractions such as the Asa Packer Mansion, built in 1861 by a philanthropist and railroad magnate, which now serves as a museum.
Visitors to Jim Thorpe can choose from various recreation and dining options. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway provides a scenic ride through the mountains, perfect for enjoying the area’s natural beauty. Dining choices include Moya, famous for its upscale American dishes, and Stone Row Pub & Eatery, offering a relaxed atmosphere with local ingredients. Outdoor lovers can enjoy boating and hiking at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, making the town an attractive destination.
Ligonier
Ligonier was established in the 1760s and features a rich colonial history highlighted by Fort Ligonier, a British fortification from the French and Indian War. The town square, known as the Diamond, is circled by original structures and a bandstand from the 19th century, reinforcing its historical ambiance.
Fort Ligonier functions as both a museum showcasing 18th-century artifacts and a venue for reenactments and educational activities. The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art enriches visitors with American art exhibitions. Dining options in Ligonier include the historic Ligonier Tavern, known for its local cuisine, and The Wicked Googly, famous for its vibrant atmosphere and live music. For outdoor leisure, Ligonier Beach offers a distinctive swimming experience with a historic pool from 1925.
Wellsboro
Wellsboro, located in Tioga County, was established in 1806 and acts as the gateway to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, also known as Pine Creek Gorge. The town exudes nostalgic charm with its gas-lit streets and historic Victorian buildings, offering a window into its storied history. A prime example of this history is the Penn Wells Hotel, which has been serving visitors since the early 1900s.
For those wanting to explore Wellsboro, the restored 1920s movie theater, The Arcadia Theatre, regularly features films and performances, serving as a cultural center for locals and visitors. The Native Bagel offers a relaxed dining atmosphere with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Outdoor lovers can enjoy Leonard Harrison State Park, which offers stunning views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, along with trails and picnic spots. Furthermore, the annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival attracts crowds with its parade, arts and crafts, and local food stalls, honoring the area’s cultural traditions.
Foxburg
Foxburg, situated along the Allegheny River in Clarion County, was founded in 1870. It is famous for being home to the oldest golf course still in operation in the United States, the Foxburg Country Club, established in 1887. This historical feature adds to its charming and distinctive character, blending small-town American charm with a deep golf tradition.
The Foxburg Wine Cellars offers tastings of locally produced wines, complemented by a scenic setting. For dining, the Allegheny Grille provides riverfront views alongside a menu featuring regional cuisine, emphasizing the town’s picturesque location. Culture enthusiasts can explore the American Golf Hall of Fame, located within the Foxburg Country Club, which houses a collection of golf memorabilia and artifacts. For outdoor activities, the nearby Allegheny River Trail offers miles of biking and walking paths, making Foxburg a destination with diverse appeal.
Honesdale
Honesdale serves as the county seat for Wayne County and was founded in 1826. It has historical significance as the terminus of the Delaware and Hudson Canal, pivotal in the transport of coal to major markets in the northeast. Notably, Honesdale is credited with being the site of the first commercial steam locomotive run on rails in the United States, the Stourbridge Lion, adding a rich layer to its industrial heritage.
The Wayne County Historical Society presents exhibits on canal and railroad history, shedding light on the town’s growth. For dining, visitors can choose the upscale Hotel Wayne, known for its fine dining and bistro bar, or the more relaxed Trackside Grill, offering views of the historic railroad. Outdoor lovers can visit Honesdale Park, which has walking paths and recreational facilities, serving as a popular venue for community events and gatherings.
Milford
Milford is situated at the crossroads of the Delaware River and the Pocono Mountains’ foothills. Established in 1796, it rapidly gained popularity as a resort in the 19th century, thanks to its scenic landscape and fresh mountain air. The town is also renowned for the Milford Historic District, which features a range of well-preserved buildings that reflect its prosperous history.
The Columns Museum houses the famous Lincoln Flag, believed to be stained with Abraham Lincoln’s blood from the night of his assassination, providing a profound historical experience. For dining, Bar Louis at the Hotel Fauchère offers a contemporary menu in a stylish setting, while the Waterwheel Café provides a rustic atmosphere with live music and local cuisine. Additionally, Grey Towers National Historic Site, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, founder of the U.S. Forest Service, offers guided tours and scenic grounds.
Mount Joy
Mount Joy was founded in 1759 and has a name derived from an old Irish ship, the “Mountjoy,” which played a pivotal role in breaking a siege during the Irish Confederate Wars. This town, nestled among the rich, rolling farmlands of the county, has historically been a hub for agriculture and today melds historic charm with modern vibrancy, evident in its revitalized downtown area.
Bube’s Brewery, an intact historic 19th-century brewery and museum, offers unique dining experiences in its catacombs and regularly hosts murder mystery dinners. The Country Table Restaurant is known for its comfort food and welcoming atmosphere, reflecting the town’s friendly spirit. For outdoor activities, Little Chiques Park provides scenic walking paths and picnic areas, perfect for family outings. Additionally, the annual “Mount Joy Winterfest” brings the community together with craft vendors, food, and entertainment, showcasing the town’s lively community spirit.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg is a vibrant town established in 1785. It is home to Bucknell University, established in 1846, which adds a youthful energy and cultural richness to the town. Lewisburg’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring well-preserved 19th-century architecture and a tree-lined main street that enhances its historic charm.
In terms of activities and dining, Lewisburg offers a variety of choices that cater to both residents and visitors. The Campus Theatre, one of the few remaining single-screen art deco movie theaters in the country, offers a unique cinematic experience. For dining, Elizabeth’s American Bistro provides a fine dining experience using local ingredients, while the Bull Run Tap House offers a more casual atmosphere with a comprehensive selection of craft beers. For outdoor enthusiasts, Hufnagle Park offers a green retreat in the heart of the town, complete with walking paths and garden areas, making it a popular gathering place for community events and casual recreation.
As we journey through Pennsylvania’s coziest corners, we discover that these small towns do more than just charm visitors with their picturesque settings and historical backdrops. They invite us into a world where community spirit thrives and every street and alley tells a story. These towns, from Lititz’s pretzel-perfumed air to Lewisburg’s university vibes, showcase the true heart of Pennsylvania through their unyielding warmth and hospitality. Whether you’re seeking a serene retreat or a peek into America’s storied past, these towns offer a refuge where friendliness is the native language.
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