Capitol Beat

Pennsylvania’s row officers get sworn in for new terms

Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Auditor General Timothy DeFoor were sworn in for a second term, while newly elected Attorney General Dave Sunday was sworn in for his first term on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity was sworn in for her second term as treasurer on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity was sworn in for her second term as treasurer on Tuesday. Commonwealth Media Services

Three Pennsylvania row officers were sworn in for a new term on Tuesday after winning their respective elections last November. 

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Auditor General Timothy DeFoor were sworn in for their second terms in office on Tuesday afternoon, while newly elected Attorney General Dave Sunday was sworn in for his first term later in the day. 

A number of current and former officeholders were on hand to celebrate the swearing-in ceremonies, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, state Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, state Rep. Tina Pickett and former Govs. Tom Corbett and Mark Schweiker, among others.

Shapiro spoke at all three ceremonies, and noted that Tuesday’s proceedings were the result of Pennsylvania voters exercising their right to vote at the ballot box. 

“In November, the good people of Pennsylvania came together to exercise one of the most fundamental rights extended to every citizen of this great nation: the right to vote,” he said. “Pennsylvanians made their voices heard.”

Garrity hopes to ‘continue the momentum’ of first term as treasurer

Garrity reflected back on her first term as state treasurer by highlighting some of the work she and her team have prioritized as the stewards of taxpayer dollars. She pointed out that while the Pennsylvania Treasury’s work may often be centered around “interest rates and algorithms,” it also has a “uniquely human side.”

She noted the agency’s work to help Pennsylvanians save for education and disability-related expenses, as well as its efforts to connect people around the state with unclaimed property like money and long-lost military medals. 

“It has been a profound honor to serve the hardworking Pennsylvanians who put their trust in me, and there’s nothing I want more than to continue the momentum we build at Treasury,” Garrity said Tuesday.

Garrity was introduced by her husband, Dan Gizzi, her first chief of staff, Hugh Allen, and Jeff Bartos, the president of ESB Holdings, who praised Garrity for her commitment to helping small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In November, Garrity made history when she earned more votes than any other statewide candidate in Pennsylvania history, securing 3,542,336 votes in her win over Democrat Erin McClelland, according to official election returns. 

Shapiro touched on Garrity’s work ethic during his remarks: “She is mission-driven, whether that was serving our nation in the military or serving as treasurer where she’s worked to put money back in people’s pockets,” the governor said.

Garrity’s speech struck an optimistic tone, and urged public officials and private citizens alike to “put aside past disagreements, embrace this moment of opportunity and find common ground.”

“Since its founding, our commonwealth has been blessed with incredible natural resources and hardworking people,” Garrity added. “Pennsylvania’s potential is unlimited. Our future will be even brighter than our past, and I can’t wait to lead Treasury in the bright days, months and years ahead.”

DeFoor touts financial literacy

Four years after becoming the first person of color elected to a statewide row office in Pennsylvania, DeFoor was sworn in for his second term on Tuesday, receiving praise from colleagues on both sides of the aisle. 

“He works hard to help ensure that our government serves the people of Pennsylvania efficiently and effectively, and he loves that work,” said Shapiro, adding: “He remarked to me backstage earlier that he can’t wait to get back to his audits.” 

DeFoor said his goal is to be a public sector leader committed to the job at hand without bending to politics. “I strive to be a leader who does the job the way the job is supposed to be done, someone who draws conclusions based on facts, not politics, and serves the people of Pennsylvania by improving government, not tearing it down.”

DeFoor added that in his first term, he focused on building a strong foundation in the auditor general’s office that would outlast his own tenure. “My first term was about building a foundation rooted in transformation, accountability, continued improvement and service to the community,” he said. Underscoring his role as the state’s top fiscal watchdog, he also stressed the importance of improving financial literacy across the commonwealth, highlighting that his office created a financial literacy initiative called “Be Money Smart.”

“Financial literacy isn’t just a personal skill; it’s a critical tool for building stronger families, communities and economies,” DeFoor said. “Working with community partners, we’ve helped Pennsylvanians, particularly our youth, to understand essential financial principles from budgeting to debt management. But our work is not done. I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: We must ensure that financial literacy is taught in every school in Pennsylvania, starting as early as kindergarten.

“Imagine the future with high school graduates who understand not just how to earn money, but how to save, invest and build lasting wealth. This is the generation that will drive our economy forward, create jobs and fuel innovation,” he added.

Sunday says he will bring collaborative approach to AG’s office

On the campaign trail, Sunday, who most recently served as York County District Attorney, frequently touted his commitment to the principles of “accountability and redemption” – an ethos he said he would bring to the attorney general’s office in Harrisburg. 

“We absolutely must hold criminals accountable,” he said on Tuesday. “At the same time, we need to embrace redemption for those who have been held accountable and seek to better their lives.”

Sunday, whose remarks were preceded by two former attorneys general in Shapiro and Corbett, said he hopes to bring a collaborative energy to the AG’s office to address issues like public safety, crime and addiction, noting that he will view all issues facing the office through a “solutions-based lens.”

“I view the Office of Attorney General as having the potential to be a conduit for collaboration. This office has the ability to work with a dynamic network of individuals and organizations, agencies and systems. This includes everyone from police to district attorneys to medical centers and the behavioral health community, to crime victims and those returning home from incarceration,” he said in remarks after being sworn in. “Collaboration with a wide variety of partners is the approach that I took as York County District Attorney – and is the approach that I plan to bring to this office.

“Magic happens when people work together,” he added.