Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor has announced that he plans to run for reelection for the position in 2024.
DeFoor was the first African-American to win statewide office in the Commonwealth, defeating Nina Ahmed by three points.
“As Auditor General, I have delivered on my promise to do the job as intended, free of political and partisan influence,” he said in a statement. “By incorporating the latest technology, we have streamlined the auditing process and focused our work on a risk-based approach.
“But there is more work to accomplish, which is why I am running for re-election for Pennsylvania Auditor General. While my first term has focused on improving and transforming the office, the next four years will be about finishing what we started and ensuring that our work on behalf of the taxpayers is executed to the highest professional auditing standards. I am committed to doing the job of Auditor General in a non-partisan way, something that I do not take lightly.
“Politicizing the office in any way would be doing a disservice to the taxpayers of this great Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Fiscal Code, which enables the Department to do its work, does not state the Republican Auditor General does one thing while the Democrat Auditor General does another; it simply states the Auditor General shall audit the debtors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The native of Dauphin County, he started his career in public service as a Special Investigator with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Inspector General, where he investigated government and contractor fraud, waste and abuse within state government. DeFoor then went on to become a Special Agent with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Attorney General, investigating Medicaid fraud and illegal prescription drug diversion. Later he became a Fraud Investigator and Internal Auditor for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Health Plan and various federal contractors.
In 2015, DeFoor was elected as Dauphin County Controller, where he quickly earned a reputation as a fiscal watchdog and trusted leader saving and recovering over $1 million of taxpayer dollars during his first term in office.
DeFoor holds an associate degree in paralegal studies from Harrisburg Area Community College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and another in sociology and history from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s degree in project management from Harrisburg University.
“My first four years were about transformation and improvement; the next four years will be
about ensuring the job gets done,” he said. “Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve more and they can trust me to continue to deliver. Let’s get back to work.”
Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) is the only other candidate who has declared for the position.