Incumbent Republican Auditor General Timothy DeFoor won reelection to a second term as Pennsylvania’s fiscal watchdog, defeating Democratic challenger Malcolm Kenyatta 51.4% to 45.6%, according to records unofficial election results. The Associated Press called the race around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The office of the auditor general, one of three elected state offices, has something of an intimidating bully pulpit when choosing which policies and programs to audit.
DeFoor, elected auditor general in 2020, faced a reelection challenge from Kenyatta, who became the first openly gay person of color elected to state office in 2018. Among the most progressive members of the House Democratic Caucus, Kenyatta emerged with Philadelphia. onto the statewide political stage, unsuccessfully seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2022 U.S. Senate.
DeFoor is from Harrisburg and worked as an investigator for the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General, looking for fraud, waste and abuse in state government. He then worked as a special agent with the state Attorney General’s Office, investigating Medicaid fraud and prescription drug diversion. He also worked as a fraud investigator at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and several federal agencies. In 2015, he was elected Dauphin County Controller.
In his re-election campaign, DeFoor relied on his experience as a professional fraud investigator and auditor, noting that he has held only two elected positions, both related to financial responsibility. DeFoor said he will continue to focus on state government risks and vulnerabilities during his second term, expanding the office’s capabilities to conduct health care and forensic audits.
