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.
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 Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and former state representative (2005–2012) Stephen Zappala, Allegheny County district attorney
Withdrawn David Fawcett, former Allegheny County councilman Kathleen Kane, incumbent attorney general Jack Stollsteimer, former Delaware County assistant district attorney and former assistant United States attorney
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KathleenKane JohnMorganelli JoshShapiro StephenZappala Other UndecidedHarper PollingHarper Polling January 22–23, 2016 640 (LV) ± 3.81% 31% 9% 13% 18% – 30% – 12% 19% 20% – 49%
Results
Republican primary Candidates Declared Joe Peters, former federal and state prosecutor and nominee for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 2004 John Rafferty, state senator
Withdrawn Todd Stephens, state representative
Declined Heather Heidelbaugh, former Allegheny County councilwoman
Results
General election Predictions Source Ranking Governing
Results
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Dave Fawcett for Attorney General Joe Peters for Attorney General John Rafferty for Attorney General Josh Shapiro for Attorney General Todd Stephens for Attorney General
Stephen Zappala for Attorney General