Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced his campaign for Pennsylvania Attorney General on Monday, joining a crowded field of Democrats.
“As Attorney General, I will put my experience to work making our communities safer, our criminal justice system fairer, and I’ll fight for environmental and economic justice, while always protecting abortion rights,” Stollsteimer said in a press release.
Stollsteimer joins former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, state Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), former Bucks County solicitor and federal prosecutor Joe Khan, and former Philadelphia Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey in the race for the Democratic Party nomination.
In 2019, Stollsteimer became the first Democrat elected District Attorney in Delaware County by defeating incumbent Republican District Attorney Kat Copeland, who is seeking the GOP nomination for attorney general.
Stollsteimer was elected to serve a second term as Delaware County DA earlier this month, but his interest in the 2024 attorney general race was reported months prior to his formal announcement.
Current Attorney General Michele Henry was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to finish out his term when he was elected governor. Henry is not seeking reelection in 2024.
In 2020, Shapiro won a second term as AG by defeating Allegheny County Republican Heather Heidelbaugh by 4.6 points, which was the largest margin of victory in the four statewide row offices that year in the state.
Two Republicans have formally entered the race for attorney general. Copeland, who announced her candidacy earlier this month, and York County District Attorney Dave Sunday are seeking the GOP nomination. State Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), who is serving his second term in the state House, is also reportedly eyeing a run.
Stollsteimer points to his record as Delco DA, where he oversaw a 68% reduction in gun homicides in Chester, a 30% reduction in the county prison population, and prosecuted contractors in the construction industry for wage theft, according to his campaign.
Stollsteimer’s career in law enforcement dates back to 2000 when he was appointed as an Assistant Delaware County District Attorney. In 2002, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and in 2006, was appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell as Pennsylvania’s Safe Schools Advocate. In 2017, he was appointed Deputy State Treasurer for Consumer Programs.
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware), Steamfitters Local 420 Business Manager Jim Snell, and Cory Long, Chester Community anti-violence activist and Founder and CEO of Making a Change Group, will serve as co-chairs of the Stollsteimer campaign.
Stollsteimer is scheduled to formally launch his campaign on Tuesday in Chester. The job is widely viewed as a pathway to the governor’s office.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is scheduled to meet for its endorsement meeting in mid-December.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
