HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - In their first statewide debate, Dave Sunday (R) and Eugene DePasquale (D) faced off trying to convince Pennsylvania voters that they should be the state's next Attorney General.
DePasquale focused on his experience leading the state Auditor General's office where he led investigations, while Sunday focused on his experience as a prosecutor in York County.
Issues debated between the two candidates included how to reduce gun violence, stopping the spread of dangerous drugs, and the growing issue of artificial intelligence.
Both candidates also pledged to serve two terms if elected and not seek higher office. Two of the last three Pennsylvania governors elected had previously served as Attorney General.
The one hour debate aired in every television market in Pennsylvania and was made available to all Pennsylvania radio stations. Voters can also follow along on social media using the #AGDebate.
Sunday, a Navy veteran, has emphasized his 15 years as a prosecutor in York County, a Republican majority area with about 460,000 residents south of Harrisburg, near Maryland.
DePasquale is a lawyer, former York City economic development director and three-term state representative. As auditor general, he drew attention to a large backlog of untested rape kits, unanswered calls to Pennsylvania’s ChildLine child abuse hotline and nursing home conditions.
DePasquale’s time running the auditor general’s office “has nothing to do with criminal law,” Sunday said during a debate earlier this month.
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DePasquale, who lives in Pittsburgh, said he would prioritize protecting voting and emphasized his support for abortion rights.
Sunday said he would “enforce and defend the abortion laws in Pennsylvania,” arguing there is “no scenario that exists where I would ever prosecute a woman for having an abortion.” Many of Sunday’s Republican supporters favor an abortion ban, DePasquale said, and GOP state lawmakers tried to push through a constitutional amendment saying it does not guarantee any rights relating to abortion or public funding of abortions.
DePasquale said he has “serious concerns” about capital punishment, while Sunday said that in the “most sad, tragic, terrible cases” he supports the death penalty.
Kathleen Kane became the first woman and first Democrat elected to serve as attorney general in 2012. Pennsylvania attorneys general had all been Republicans since the job became an elected post in 1980. Kane’s term ended with her resignation after being charged with perjury and other offenses in 2016.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, succeeded her and won reelection in 2020, relinquishing the job after being elected governor nearly two years ago. Shapiro picked his top deputy at the attorney general’s office, Michelle Henry, as his successor, but she said when she was confirmed that she would not run for reelection.
