County will help pick three state office races
Butler County residents will vote in three state races unrelated to the legislative branch of government.
The attorney general serves as the state's top lawyer and chief law enforcement officer. The office prosecutes some of the state's most serious crimes as well as defends the state and its agencies in civil cases.Incumbent Josh Shapiro, a Democrat from Montgomery County, has served as attorney general since 2017, and he is running for reelection. From 2005 to 2011, he served as a state representative for District 153.Challenger Heather Heidelbaugh, a Republican from Allegheny County, has more than 35 years experience in law and is an equity partner at her Pittsburgh firm.Richard Weiss, a Green Party candidate from Allegheny County, practices in corporate, investment and securities areas of law as well as many others.Daniel Wassmer, a Libertarian from Bucks County, has been an adjunct professor at Bucks County Community College since 2002, but served as the Bucks County assistant solicitor from 2001 to 2009.
The auditor general serves as the state's chief fiscal officer. The office audits state agencies, municipal governments and school districts, among other entities. Auditor general Eugene DePasquale is not seeking reelection.He has served in the role since 2013. DePasquale is running as Democratic candidate for the state's 10th Congressional District.Timothy DeFoor, a Republican from Dauphin County, has more than 25 years of combined experience in law enforcement and auditing, in both public service and the private sector.Nina Ahmad, a Democrat from Philadelphia, worked as a molecular biologist and entrepreneur, but before running for auditor general, she was deputy mayor for public engagement in Philadelphia.Olivia Faison, a Green Party candidate from Philadelphia, is chairwoman of the Health Center #4 Advisory Committee, and secretary on the board of directors for the City of Philadelphia Health Centers.Jennifer Moore, a Libertarian from Montgomery County, has 20 years of experience in finance and had been elected in 2017 as the auditor for Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County.
The state treasurer's responsibility is to manage and guard the state's financial assets.Incumbent Joseph Torsella, a Democrat from Montgomery County, has served in the role since 2017. Before his tenure, Torsella had been appointed U.S. ambassador to the U.N. for Management and Reform, for which he monitored spending.Stacy Garrity, a Republican from Bradford County, is a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel. She is a project analyst for Corning Inc.Timothy Runkle, a Green Party candidate from Lancaster County, works in the environmental consulting industry, and he specializes in complex environmental problems that require a firm handle of regulatory, business and stakeholder knowledge.Joseph Soloski, a Libertarian from Centre County, has worked as a public accountant since 1979. He managed his own accounting firm in the Pittsburgh area for 27 years.