On Wednesday morning, Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) announced that he is seeking a second term.
“Four years ago, I asked for your support when I announced my decision to run for Attorney General,” Shapiro wrote in a release. “I said we’d take on the big fights, defend the rule of law and stand up to special interests trying to take advantage of Pennsylvanians. And together, we’ve done just that.”
“That’s why today, I’m excited to announce my campaign for re-election and to humbly ask for your support once again,” he continued.
Shapiro bested Republican John Rafferty by over 2.5 points for the open seat in 2016.
The release from Shapiro’s campaign touted his office’s effort publishing a Grand Jury report exposing decades of child abuse and cover-up within the Catholic Church, negotiating to protect healthcare for more than 3 million people in Western Pennsylvania, confronting the opioid epidemic and more.
“As the people’s Attorney General, I’ll take on anyone who infringes on the rights or well-being of the people of our Commonwealth, without fear or favor,” Shapiro wrote. “Our Attorney General must be an advocate who will uphold the rule of law, especially when institutions are exploiting their power at the expense of Pennsylvanians—and that’s exactly how I’ll continue to serve in this role.”
Shapiro remains the lone Democrat seeking the office, while Heather Heidelbaugh, a former Allegheny County Councilwoman and Pittsburgh-area attorney, is the lone Republican who has formally announced a bid for the seat. Marc Scaringi, a lawyer, columnist, and one time U.S. Senate GOP candidate, told PoliticsPA in December that he is also considering a run for the statewide office in 2020.
While Shapiro’s announcement to seek a second term was expected, rumors have swirled over the past year about him being a potential candidate for Governor in 2022 when Gov. Tom Wolf’s second term is completed, although he has not confirmed any interest in seeking the seat yet.
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13 Responses
He’s running for Governor in two years and everybody knows it.
He’s looking forward to increasing his tyranny over the people!
Josh needs to clarify if he’s running to serve a full term of 4 more years or if he’s going to try running for Gov and abandon the AG office after only half a term.
If you run for office, you should pledge to serve out the full term.
Not only will he not commit to a full term, but no one in the press will hold him accountable for it. They will let him slide with his standard :I am focused on the Attorney General’s office right now.” Then it will all be a big surprise when he announces for Governor at this time next year.
In 2016, you proved the Zappala mafia is no longer a force in PA. Politics. In 2019, junior nearly lost his d.a. job to an independent. Straight ticket Republicans saved him. When uncle Charley comes calling this year,show him the door. Don’t tarnish your reputation on a false promise from perpetual lists.
Liars
Barely beat? Won by 12 points. Only an idiot would say barely beat. BTW,
MIddleman is anything but an independent!
Also straight ticket Republicans by definition don’t vote for any Democrats…
Well no more straight party voting. Jake took care of that problem. Times have really changed.
The ONLY reason Zap won was because Republican straight ticket voters pulled his fat ass up in the suburbs. He lost the city and his own Dem party voters. 12 points is nothing when he had both nominations. Republicans will vote for Satan without looking if he is on the R ticket…and that’s who they elected.
4 more years!!!
But none for you, junior junior. Did you drop out of the legislative race yet?
It is a county wide election, not a city wide one. The city doesn’t have the juice it had back in the 60’s and 70’s. Lost over 45% of its population.