York County District Attorney Dave Sunday took the oath of office on Tuesday to become Pennsylvania’s Attorney General.

He is the Commonwealth’s 15th AG since voters approved a Constitutional amendment providing for the election of an Attorney General effective with the general election of 1980.

Sunday defeated Eugene DePasquale in the November general election by 315,000 votes, giving Republicans all three statewide row offices for the first time in Commonwealth history.

The Attorney General is Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official, with a wide range of responsibilities to protect and serve the citizens and agencies of the Commonwealth. The Attorney General is served by a staff of several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff in offices across the state, divided into four sections: the Criminal Law Division, the Public Protection Division, the Civil Division and the Operations Division.

“The best outcomes that I’ve ever seen have been accomplished through the spirit of collaboration and teamwork, from the Navy to UPS and certainly as a prosecutor,” said Sunday. “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.

“Collaboration with a wide variety of partners is the approach that I took as a York County District Attorney, and is the approach that I plan to bring to this office. When someone from my office walks into a meeting. I want them to treat others with respect and dignity and approach the issue through a solutions-based lens. That’s how I look at the criminal justice system. By focusing on solutions and outcomes.

“We absolutely must hold criminals accountable at the same time,” he continued. “We need to embrace redemption for those who have been held accountable and seek to better their lives. Remember, 95 percent of everyone who enters prison will come back to society. There is a power in employment. I have seen it, and I felt it firsthand, from the Navy to UPS to the York County District Attorney’s office. Magic happens when people work together.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who served as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General from 2017-23, reflected on his time in the position and said that Sunday is ready for the challenge.

“As I look out and see so many familiar faces, I want you to know that this agency will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Shapiro. “I was honored to meet Dave six years ago as we took on big fights on behalf of the good people of Pennsylvania. I’m more than confident that he’ll meet this moment and take this agency to even higher heights.

“He cares deeply about safer streets and safer communities. His work is DA bears that out, and he also cares about giving people second chances and creating real opportunity for those who are working hard to turn their lives around. He’s made real progress in York County, and I know he’s ready to meet this next challenge in his public service career, serving as the Commonwealth’s chief law enforcement and legal officer.”

Former Gov. Tom Corbett, who also served as the state’s AG from 2005-11, urged Sunday to bridge the gap of party partisanship as he goes forward.

“It is quite an honor that the people of Pennsylvania have bestowed upon you and their trust in government is reflected in their trust in you to do the right thing,” said Corbett. “You assume this office in a very unusual period of time in our history, a very unsettled period of time, I think, when it comes to politics, and I would urge you to take the politics as much as you possibly can out of this, and urge you to do that.”

Sunday reflected on his new position and the responsibility he is undertaking.

“It’s a profound honor to take on this solemn responsibility as the chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania,” he said. “The trust placed in me today is not one that I take lightly. The role of the Attorney General carries with it the duty to protect and serve all Pennsylvanians ensuring justice is upheld, that the rule of law is respected and that every individual, regardless of background, circumstances or is treated with respect, fairness and dignity.”

The heritage of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is one of the oldest and most divergent offices of public trust in the United States spanning over three centuries of life in the Commonwealth.

The position of Attorney General was created in 1643, before the arrival of English Common Law, as an office within government of the area known as New Sweden.

Sunday closed by talking about being an avid reader and his appreciation for Doris Kearns Goodwin’s classic about former President Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet in “Team of Rivals.”

“I believe in his concept of the Team of Rivals. I don’t care who gets a credit, as long as the mission is achieved,” he said. “And it’s amazing what can happen when we all come to a problem through that lens. Now, that may make me a terrible politician, but I’d rather be a good person and a successful attorney general. President Lincoln once said I must stand with anybody that stands right and stand with him while he is right, and part with him where he goes wrong. And I think that’s a good philosophy as we approach the work that lies ahead.”