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BREAKING: Stephens Exploring a Run for Attorney General

Todd-StephensThe 2016 field for Attorney General is starting to take shape.

PoliticsPA has learned that State Representative Todd Stephens is actively exploring a run for AG next year.

“It’s certainly something I’ve been exploring and considering,” Rep. Stephens told PoliticsPA. “I been discussing it with my family, as well as political and law enforcement leaders across the state.”

He did say, however, that he wants to wait for a budget to be passed before he makes a final decision. When asked about the very real possibility that an agreement won’t be reached by the June 30th deadline, he expressed his hope that the budget would be completed on-time.

“I’m hoping we can finish by our constitutional deadline,” he stated.

Stephens is a graduate of Hatboro-Horsham High School and Shippensburg University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Government. He went to the Widener University School of Law.

He started out as an Assistant DA in Montgomery County before being appointed a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2004. During his time there, Stephens served as Captain of the Sex Crimes, Firearms and Major Crimes Unit.

In 2010, he defeated incumbent Democrat Rick Taylor in the State House’s 151st district. He is currently in his third term.

Stephens name has been floating around the AG race for awhile now (he was included in our April reader poll).

Given Kane’s current standing, though, many Republicans will likely test the waters of a 2016 campaign. State Sen. John Rafferty has already indicated that he’s interested.

Additionally, with a majority of Pennsylvanians against a Kane re-election effort, it is likely the incumbent AG will face a primary challenge. The most likely opponent would be Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro.

As a result, we very well could have a 2016 statewide race between two Montco officials.

10 Responses

  1. George – You realize your boy Rafferty voted for that same piece of legislation, right? And by the way, if you want to talk about unlikeable, why don’t you poll Rafferty’s colleagues in the Senate. I’m sure they’ll have plenty to say about Rafferty being a likeble person. He holds up almost every key conservative piece of legislation and is in bed with the unions. No thanks.

    The truth is, John Rafferty was a bad candidate in 2012 when he was asked to step aside so a real prosecutor could run for AG then. Nothing’s changed in four years…

  2. I heard Joe Gale is going to launch a campaign as the only ‘true conservative’ running for AG.

  3. Anyone tired of convicted felon Bob Asher handpicking the state’s top law enforcement officer?

  4. uh, rafferty actually worked in the AGs Office, crim division. Unlike Stephens, Rafferty has notable achievements. Oh wait, Stephens is actually responsible for this joke of a “Sandusky Law” that was costing the state’s social service and volunteer workers 10s of millions of dollars before Wolf stepped up to relieve volunteers from that financial burden.

    As I said to begin, if Stephens was a legitimate candidate, he would be one of the county row office candidates by now. More likely is that he runs for State Senate when Greenleaf retires.

  5. Rafferty would be the better Montco choice. Would like some input from his former colleagues. rumor in republican circles was the Stephens was unlikable and destroyed the relationship between Norrsitwon and the US Attorneys Office. Plus his district could become winnable for Ds should he vacate the seat. Horsham is one of the last Republican strongholds in eastern Montgomery County. Doubt the Rs will allow him to leave.

  6. The reader poll had Delco DA and former county councilman Jack Whelan edging Montco Commissioner and former/future DA Bruce Castor 31% to 30%. That is the resume the GOP needs. The next highest was 8%. Stephens? Seriously?

  7. State Reps start with a very small base and Shapiro will crush him in Montco. DA Jack Whelan from Delco would bring more to the table for Republicans.

  8. Todd is tremendously talented and is much more in the mold of a Meehan than a Castor or a Ferman, very much ready for statewide office.

  9. if Stephens was electable outside of 151 then he would be the R candidate for County Commissioner and/or DA.

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