Malcom Kenyatta and Tim Defoor Credit: CP Illustration: Jeff Schreckengost

Auditor
The auditor general is Pa.’s chief financial watchdog and is tasked with conducting and releasing periodic audits of state agencies to ensure all state money is spent legally and properly. Annual tasks include conducting thousands of audits on agencies, including school districts, municipal pension plans, volunteer firefighter relief associations, and state correctional facilities as legislation requires. Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor faces a challenge from Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta, and three third-party candidates will also appear on the ballot.

Malcolm Kenyatta
Biography

Grew up in Philadelphia. Elected to the 181st state House district in 2018, becoming the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and first LGBTQ person of color to run for U.S. Senate in 2022. Holds a master’s degree in strategic and digital communications from Drexel University and completed the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executives in State and Local Government program.

Elections

Member of the State Government Committee committed to oversight on state agencies and elections. Minority chair of the Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections.

Education

Pledges to rebuild the Bureau of School Audits, restart the annual compliance audits, and demand accountability from all Pennsylvania schools, especially cyber charter schools.

Labor

Self-described “vocal proponent of protecting workers’ rights.” Pledges to create the first ever Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections to address wage theft, employee misclassification, and union busting.

Tim Defoor
Biography

Incumbent. Harrisburg native. Holds a master’s degree in project management from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Served as auditor general since 2021 and was the first person of color elected to the post in Pennsylvania history. Pledged in previous campaign that office wouldn’t “weaponize” audits and would strictly follow the law. Formerly served as special investigator with the Commonwealth and as the Dauphin County Controller.

Elections

Previously made headlines for refusing to affirm that the 2020 election was fair, while still claiming that he was elected legitimately. Says he “refused” when Republicans asked him to open an Election Integrity Audit Bureau.

Education

Either completed or started 18 school district audits, including on public and charter schools, in 2023 alone. Released an audit that identified school districts moving money so they would meet the state threshold to raise taxes. Worked with the general assembly to advocate that financial literacy be taught in K-12 school system.

Labor

Aims to create first “Workforce Development Team” to assure that every employee has resources such as training and education to perform their responsibilities, while creating a career ladder and opportunities for entry level auditors to advance to management.

Third Parties
Biography

Eric Anton (American Solidarity): Dauphin County resident. Alan Goodrich (Constitution): Tioga County resident. Fromer candidate for Tioga County commissioner. Reece Smith: Crafton resident. Allegheny College grad. George Mason Mercatus Institute fellow.

Elections

Anton: Unknown Goodrich: Unknown
Smith: Pledges to audit both major parties for corrupt use of campaign funds.

Education

Anton: Unknown Goodrich: Unknown
Smith: Says the auditor general “should be conducting performance reviews of the state Department of Education” to see if it’s helping or hindering schools. Has been involved in local school board meetings.

Labor

Anton: Unknown Goodrich: Unknown
Smith: Wants to “remove the chains of government and enable people to own themselves.”