2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election

2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election
	Shapiro: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Rafferty: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Tie: 50% No votes
Attorney General before election; Bruce Beemer; Democratic	Elected Attorney General ; Josh Shapiro; Democratic

The Pennsylvania Attorney General election of 2016 took place on November 8, 2016, to elect a new Pennsylvania Attorney General. Democratic incumbent Kathleen Kane originally indicated her intention to seek re-election, but dropped out after she was criminally charged with violating grand jury secrecy laws stemming from alleged leaks of grand jury investigation details to embarrass a political enemy.^[1]^[2]

Democratic nominee and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro defeated Republican state senator John Rafferty Jr. by a margin of 2.78%.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

John Morganelli, Northampton County district attorney, candidate for Attorney General in 2000 and 2004 and nominee in 2008^[3]
Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and former state representative (2005–2012)^[4]
Stephen Zappala, Allegheny County district attorney^[5]

Withdrawn

David Fawcett, former Allegheny County councilman^[6]^[7]
Kathleen Kane, incumbent attorney general^[8]^[9]
Jack Stollsteimer, former Delaware County assistant district attorney and former assistant United States Attorney^[10]^[11]

Endorsements

John Morganelli

Individuals

Jean Engler, Carbon County District Attorney^[12]
Anthony Rosini, former Northumberland County District Attorney^[12]
Cal Shields, former Schuylkill County District Attorney^[12]

Josh Shapiro

Presidents

Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States^[13]

U.S. Senators

Bob Casey, Jr., United States Senator from Pennsylvania^[13]

Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys

Jack Stollsteimer, former Delaware County Assistant District Attorney, former Assistant United States Attorney and former 2016 Attorney General candidate^[11]

Governors

Ed Rendell, 45th Governor of Pennsylvania^[13]
Tom Wolf, 47th and current Governor of Pennsylvania^[13]

State executive officials

Eugene DePasquale, Auditor General of Pennsylvania^[13]

State legislators

Leslie Acosta, state representative^[13]
Donna Bullock, state representative^[13]
Tina Davis, state representative^[13]
Art Haywood, state senator^[13]
Vincent Hughes, State Senator and former state representative^[13]
Stephen Kinsey, state representative^[13]
Leanne Krueger-Braneky, state representative^[13]
Daylin Leach, State Senator and former state representative^[13]
Joanna E. McClinton, state representative^[13]

Mayors and other municipal leaders

Kim Bracey, Mayor of York^[14]
Blondell Reynolds Brown, Philadelphia City Councilwoman^[13]
Darrell L. Clarke, Philadelphia City Council President^[15]
Rick Gray, Mayor of Lancaster^[14]
Derek Green, Philadelphia City Councilman^[13]
Bill Greenlee, Philadelphia City Councilman^[13]
Helen Gym, Philadelphia City Councilwoman^[13]
Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia City Councilman and former state representative^[13]
Eric Papenfuse, Mayor of Harrisburg^[14]
Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia City Councilman and former state representative^[13]
Maria Quiñones-Sanchez, Philadelphia City Councilwoman^[13]
Marian Tasco, Philadelphia City Councilwoman^[13]
Jewell Williams, Philadelphia Sheriff^[13]

Labor unions

AFSCME 13^[13]
Laborers District Council^[13]
PASNAP^[13]
Plumbers Local 690^[13]
PSEA^[13]
UFCW Local 1776^[13]

Organizations

Chester County Democratic Committee^[13]
Delaware County Democratic Committee^[13]
Democracy for America^[13]
Equality Pennsylvania^[13]
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5^[13]
League of Conservation Voters^[13]
Liberty City Democratic Club^[13]
Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club^[16]
Montgomery County Democratic Committee^[13]
Planned Parenthood PA PAC^[13]

Newspapers

Stephen Zappala

Individuals

Mike Stack, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania^[17]

Organizations

Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association^[18]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Kathleen Kane	John Morganelli	Josh Shapiro	Stephen Zappala	Other	Undecided
Harper Polling^[19]	January 22–23, 2016	640 (LV)	± 3.81%	31%	9%	13%	18%	–	30%
Harper Polling^[19]	January 22–23, 2016	640 (LV)	± 3.81%	–	12%	19%	20%	–	49%

Results

2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General Democratic primary results

Shapiro—80-90%

Shapiro—60-70%

Shapiro—50-60%

Shapiro—40-50%

Shapiro—30-40%

Zappala—40-50%

Zappala—50-60%

Zappala—60-70%

Zappala—70-80%

Morganelli—30-40%

Morganelli—40-50%

Morganelli—60-70%

Morganelli—70-80%

Democratic primary results^[20]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Shapiro	725,168	47.03%
	Democratic	Stephen Zappala	566,501	36.74%
	Democratic	John Morganelli	250,097	16.22%
Total votes			1,541,766	100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Joe Peters, former federal and state prosecutor and nominee for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 2004^[21]
John Rafferty, state senator^[22]

Withdrawn

Todd Stephens, state representative^[23]

Declined

Heather Heidelbaugh, former Allegheny County councilwoman^[24]^[6]

Results

2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General Republican primary results

Rafferty—80-90%

Rafferty—70-80%

Rafferty—60-70%

Rafferty—50-60%

Peters—50-60%

Peters—70-80%

Peters—80-90%

Republican primary results^[20]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Rafferty	819,510	63.82%
	Republican	Joe Peters	464,491	36.18%
Total votes			1,284,001	100.0%

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking
Governing^[25]	Tossup

Results

2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election^[26]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Josh Shapiro	3,057,010	51.39%	−4.75%
	Republican	John Rafferty	2,891,325	48.61%	+7.05%
Total votes			5,948,335	100.0%	N/A
	Democratic hold

Notes

^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

References

^ Maher, Kris (August 6, 2015). "Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane Charged With Obstruction, Perjury". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
^ Bacon, John (August 6, 2015). "Pa. attorney general charged with perjury, obstructing justice". USA Today. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
^ "John Morganelli says he'll run for Pennsylvania attorney general". The Morning Call. December 15, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (January 11, 2016). "BREAKING: Report: Shapiro to Run for Attorney General". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (December 16, 2015). "Zappala Kicks Off AG Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Potter, Chris (November 19, 2015). "Pittsburgh attorney David Fawcett to run for state attorney general". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (January 19, 2016). "Fawcett Drops Out of AG Race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (January 9, 2016). "Kane Now Says She'll Run for Re-Election". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (February 16, 2016). "BREAKING: Kane Announces She Won't Run for Re-Election". PoliticsPA. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
^ Addy, Jason (August 13, 2015). "Stollsteimer to Run for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Field, Nick (January 20, 2016). "BREAKING: Stollsteimer Drops Out, Endorses Shapiro". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Calabrese, Chris (January 20, 2016). "Morganelli Gains Support of 3 Prosecutors". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an Who’s supporting who? The Pa. endorsements you need to know about before Tuesday
^ ^a ^b ^c Field, Nick (January 25, 2016). "Three Mayors Endorse Shapiro for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (January 14, 2016). "Clarke Endorses Shapiro for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ "Official Endorsements". Libertycity.org. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (February 16, 2016). "Stack Endorses Zappala for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (January 28, 2016). "Zappala Wins Support of Western PA Police". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ Harper Polling
^ ^a ^b "2016 Presidential Primary - Official Results". Pennsylvania Department of State.
^ Aupperlee, Aaron (February 4, 2016). "2nd Republican seeks nomination in state attorney general race". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
^ Addy, Jason (June 17, 2015). "Rafferty Announces Attorney General Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
^ Field, Nick (December 19, 2015). "BREAKING: Stephens Drops Out of AG Race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
^ Aupperlee, Aaron (January 12, 2015). "Heidelbaugh says one term is enough on Allegheny County Council". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
^ "4 States Have Competitive Attorney General Races in 2016". governing.com. March 14, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
^ "2016 Presidential Election - Official Results". Pennsylvania Department of State.

External links

Official campaign websites

[key-19] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[1] Maher, Kris (August 6, 2015). "Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane Charged With Obstruction, Perjury". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2015.

[2] Bacon, John (August 6, 2015). "Pa. attorney general charged with perjury, obstructing justice". USA Today. Retrieved August 10, 2015.

[3] "John Morganelli says he'll run for Pennsylvania attorney general". The Morning Call. December 15, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[4] Field, Nick (January 11, 2016). "BREAKING: Report: Shapiro to Run for Attorney General". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[5] Field, Nick (December 16, 2015). "Zappala Kicks Off AG Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[fawcett-6] Potter, Chris (November 19, 2015). "Pittsburgh attorney David Fawcett to run for state attorney general". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[7] Field, Nick (January 19, 2016). "Fawcett Drops Out of AG Race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[8] Field, Nick (January 9, 2016). "Kane Now Says She'll Run for Re-Election". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[9] Field, Nick (February 16, 2016). "BREAKING: Kane Announces She Won't Run for Re-Election". PoliticsPA. Retrieved February 16, 2016.

[10] Addy, Jason (August 13, 2015). "Stollsteimer to Run for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[stollsteimer-shapiro-11] Field, Nick (January 20, 2016). "BREAKING: Stollsteimer Drops Out, Endorses Shapiro". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[morganelli-3prosecutors-12] Calabrese, Chris (January 20, 2016). "Morganelli Gains Support of 3 Prosecutors". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[billypenn.com-13] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an Who’s supporting who? The Pa. endorsements you need to know about before Tuesday

[shapiro-3mayors-14] Field, Nick (January 25, 2016). "Three Mayors Endorse Shapiro for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[15] Field, Nick (January 14, 2016). "Clarke Endorses Shapiro for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[16] "Official Endorsements". Libertycity.org. Retrieved April 2, 2016.

[17] Field, Nick (February 16, 2016). "Stack Endorses Zappala for AG". PoliticsPA. Retrieved February 16, 2016.

[18] Field, Nick (January 28, 2016). "Zappala Wins Support of Western PA Police". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[20] Harper Polling

[prim1-21] "2016 Presidential Primary - Official Results". Pennsylvania Department of State.

[22] Aupperlee, Aaron (February 4, 2016). "2nd Republican seeks nomination in state attorney general race". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 16, 2016.

[23] Addy, Jason (June 17, 2015). "Rafferty Announces Attorney General Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 14, 2016.

[24] Field, Nick (December 19, 2015). "BREAKING: Stephens Drops Out of AG Race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 14, 2016.

[25] Aupperlee, Aaron (January 12, 2015). "Heidelbaugh says one term is enough on Allegheny County Council". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2016.

[26] "4 States Have Competitive Attorney General Races in 2016". governing.com. March 14, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.

[gen1-27] "2016 Presidential Election - Official Results". Pennsylvania Department of State.

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