Shapiro Takes Oath Of Office For 2nd Term As Pa. Attorney General, DeFoor And Garrity Sworn In As Auditor General And Treasurer

HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA) -- Three statewide officials took their oaths of office as attorney general, auditor general and state treasurer.

Two new officials were sworn in while one incumbent began a second term.

When Pennsylvanians elected Democrat Joe Biden as president, on the same ballot they elected two Republicans and reelected a Democrat for three state row offices.

"I, Joshua David Shapiro, do solemnly swear," intoned Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat.

"That I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States," repeated Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania's new state treasurer.

"That I will discharge the duties of my office," said Timothy DeFoor, the state's new auditor general.

Each took their identical oath of office on Tuesday. Garrity, an Iraqi war veteran who defeated incumbent state Treasurer Joe Torsella, began with a shoutout to her Democratic opponent.

"Joe has risen above politics in the days since Nov. 3 and helped ensure a smooth transition. That generosity of spirit marks him as an outstanding man," Garrity said of Torsella.

Republican DeFoor, the first African American elected to a Pennsylvania state row office, took over as auditor general from retiring incumbent Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat, for whom he also had words of praise.

"They like to say that the auditor general is the fiscal watchdog of the Commonwealth. Eugene, you were much more than that, so thank you," said DeFoor.

Democrat Shapiro pledged to continue to be the peoples' lawyer.

"No matter who crosses that line or how powerful they are, we have your back, and I'm your lawyer," said Shapiro.

But the big question is whether Shapiro will run for governor next year.

"As for my future, I've been very clear," Shapiro told KDKA political editor Jon Delano following his swearing-in. "I've got a lot of work to do here in the Office of Attorney General. I'm focused on doing that work."

The state row offices are often a stepping stone to higher office, but with Garrity and DeFoor both newcomers, it's Shapiro most likely to take the next step.