Attorney General of Pennsylvania
| Pennsylvania Attorney General | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $191,061 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $143,947,000 |
| Term limits: | Two consecutive terms |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Pennsylvania Constitution, Article IV, Section 4 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Dave Sunday | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 7, 2028 |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Other Pennsylvania Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Attorney General of Pennsylvania is an elected constitutional office in the executive branch of the Pennsylvania state government. He or she serves as the chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania and represents the state and its agencies in any action brought by or against them. The attorney general is responsible for collecting all debts, taxes, and accounts due to the state. The attorney general serves as a member of boards and commissions, including the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Board of Pardons, the Board of Finance and Revenue, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission, and the Mid-Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network.[1]
The attorney general is elected in presidential election years and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms in office.[2]
Pennsylvania has a divided government where neither party holds a triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor and attorney general, while the Republican Party controls the office of secretary of state.
Current officeholder
The current Attorney General of Pennsylvania is Dave Sunday (R). Sunday assumed office in 2025.
Authority
The Pennsylvania Constitution addresses the office of the attorney general in Article IV.
Under Article IV, Section 4:
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An Attorney General shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the Commonwealth on the day the general election is held for the Auditor General and State Treasurer; he shall hold his office during four years from the third Tuesday of January next ensuing his election and shall not be eligible to serve continuously for more than two successive terms; he shall be the chief law officer of the Commonwealth and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be imposed by law.[2] |
Qualifications
Article IV Section 5 of the state constitution also outlines the qualifications for holding the office of attorney general.[2]
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of Pennsylvania for at least the previous seven years
- a member of bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Article IV, Section 5:
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No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General except a citizen of the United States, who shall have attained the age of thirty years, and have been seven years next preceding his election an inhabitant of this Commonwealth, unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this Commonwealth. No person shall be eligible to the office of Attorney General except a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.[2] |
Elections
Pennsylvania elects the attorney general in presidential election years. The term for the office begins on the third Tuesday of January following the election.
In the primary election of 1978, Pennsylvania voters approved a constitutional amendment that changed the attorney general from an appointed position to an elected position. The change was implemented in 1980 when Republican LeRoy S. Zimmerman became Pennsylvania's first elected attorney general.[1]
2024
General election
General election for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
The following candidates ran in the general election for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dave Sunday (R) | 50.8 | 3,496,679 | |
| Eugene DePasquale (D) | 46.2 | 3,179,376 | ||
| Rob Cowburn (L) | 1.3 | 88,835 | ||
| Richard Weiss (G) | 1.0 | 68,046 | ||
| Justin Magill (Constitution Party) | 0.5 | 31,282 | ||
| Eric Settle (Forward Party) | 0.3 | 18,151 | ||
| Total votes: 6,882,369 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Eugene DePasquale defeated Jack Stollsteimer, Joe Khan, Keir Bradford-Grey, and Jared Solomon in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Eugene DePasquale | 35.2 | 371,911 | |
| Jack Stollsteimer | 20.1 | 212,413 | ||
| Joe Khan | 15.9 | 167,895 | ||
| Keir Bradford-Grey | 15.2 | 160,369 | ||
| Jared Solomon | 13.1 | 137,920 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 4,577 | ||
| Total votes: 1,055,085 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Dave Sunday defeated Craig Williams in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dave Sunday | 69.9 | 620,515 | |
| Craig Williams | 29.5 | 261,419 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 5,282 | ||
| Total votes: 887,216 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2020
General election
General election for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Incumbent Josh Shapiro defeated Heather Heidelbaugh, Daniel Wassmer, and Richard Weiss in the general election for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Josh Shapiro (D) | 50.9 | 3,461,472 | |
| Heather Heidelbaugh (R) | 46.3 | 3,153,831 | ||
| Daniel Wassmer (L) | 1.8 | 120,489 | ||
| Richard Weiss (G) | 1.0 | 70,804 | ||
| Total votes: 6,806,596 | ||||
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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Incumbent Josh Shapiro advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Josh Shapiro | 100.0 | 1,429,414 | |
| Total votes: 1,429,414 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Heather Heidelbaugh advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Heather Heidelbaugh | 100.0 | 1,055,168 | |
| Total votes: 1,055,168 | ||||
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2016
The general election for attorney general was held on November 8, 2016.
Josh Shapiro defeated John Rafferty in the Pennsylvania attorney general election.
| Pennsylvania Attorney General, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Josh Shapiro |
51.39% | 3,057,010 | |
| Republican | John Rafferty | 48.61% | 2,891,325 | |
| Total Votes | 5,948,335 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Full history
To view the electoral history dating back to 2000 for the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General, click [show] to expand the section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2012Then-incumbent Linda Kelly (R) was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Tom Corbett when he was elected governor in 2010. In keeping with the custom of Pennsylvania statewide appointees, Kelly agreed upon her state senate confirmation not to run for attorney general in the 2012 election. On November 6, 2012, Kathleen Kane (D) defeated David Freed (R) and Marakay Rogers (L) in the general election. Kane was the first woman and first Democrat to be elected attorney general since it became an elected office in 1980.
2008On November 4, 2008, Tom Corbett won re-election to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. He defeated John M. Morganelli (D) and Marakay J. Rogers (L) in the general election.
2004 On November 2, 2004, Tom Corbett won election to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. He defeated Jim Eisenhower (D) and Marakay J. Rogers (G) in the general election.
2000 On November 7, 2000, Mike Fisher won re-election to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. He defeated Jim Eisenhower (D) and three minor-party candidates in the general election.
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Term limits
Term limits for the attorney general are defined in Article IV, Section 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which prohibits an attorney general from serving more than two consecutive terms.
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article IV, Section 4:
| An Attorney General shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the Commonwealth on the day the general election is held for the Auditor General and State Treasurer; he shall hold his office during four years from the third Tuesday of January next ensuing his election and shall not be eligible to serve continuously for more than two successive terms; he shall be the chief law officer of the Commonwealth and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be imposed by law. |
Vacancies
Article IV, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution grants the governor the power to appoint officers to fill vacancies. In the event of a vacancy in the office of attorney general, the governor nominates a successor. This nomination must be made to the Pennsylvania State Senate within 90 days of the vacancy. The senate must then take action (confirming or rejecting nomination) within 25 legislative days.
Duties
The basic duties of the attorney general, as outlined by the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, are to:[1]
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Divisions
As of January 11, 2021, divisions within the Office of the Attorney General included:[1]
- Criminal Law
- Public Protection
- Civil Law
- Office of Public Engagement
State budget
- See also: Pennsylvania state budget and finances
The budget for the attorney general's office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $143,947,000.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The attorney general's salary is set by statute and subject to cost-of-living adjustments, also known as COLAs, pursuant to Section 3(e) of the Public Official Compensation Law (amended in 1995). This law mandates that Pennsylvania executives' salaries "shall be increased by applying the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland area for the most recent 12-month period for which figures have been officially reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) immediately prior to the date adjustment is due to take effect."[5]
Under this law, the appropriate salaries were last increased by 1.6 percent, effective January 1, 2015.[6]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $191,061, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $177,237, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $167,838, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $167,838 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $162,115 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $162,115 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $160,828 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $158,764 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $158,764 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the attorney general was paid an estimated $156,264 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the attorney general was paid an estimated $155,797 according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2010
In 2010, the attorney general was paid an estimated $145,529 according to the Sunshine Review.[18]
Historical officeholders
This list includes all office holders since the first election for the office.
| Name | Attorney General term |
|---|---|
| LeRoy S. Zimmerman | 1981–1989 |
| Ernie Preate | 1989–1995 |
| Tom Corbett | 1995–1997 |
| Mike Fisher | 1997–2004 |
| Jerry Pappert | 2004–2005 |
| Tom Corbett | 2005–2011 |
| Linda L. Kelly | 2011–2013 |
| Kathleen Kane | 2013-2016 |
| Bruce Beemer | 2016-2017 |
| Josh Shapiro | 2017-2023 |
| Michelle Henry (acting) | 2023 - 2025 |
Contact information
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-3391
See also
| Pennsylvania | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, "Duties of the Pennsylvania Attorney General," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "2024-25 Enacted General Fund Tracking Run," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑ Pennsylvania Legislature, "Senate Bill: Act 51 of 1995," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ The Pennsylvania Bulletin, "NOTICES: Statutory Cost of Living Increases for Salaries of State Officials and the Heads of Departments, Boards and Commissions," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑ The Sunshine Review, "Pennsylvania state government salary," June 1, 2011
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