Eugene DePasquale
51st Auditor General of Pennsylvania
In office
January 15, 2013 – January 19, 2021
GovernorTom Corbett
Tom Wolf
Preceded byJack Wagner
Succeeded byTimothy DeFoor
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 95th district
In office
January 2, 2007 – January 15, 2013
Preceded byStephen Stetler
Succeeded byKevin Schreiber
Personal details
Born (1971-08-03) August 3, 1971
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationCollege of Wooster (BA)
University of Pittsburgh (MPP)
Widener University (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website

Eugene A. DePasquale (born August 3, 1971) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as the Pennsylvania Auditor General from 2013 to 2021. From 2007 to 2013, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the York County-based 95th district. He was the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district in the 2020 election. Since leaving office, DePasquale served as an Adjunct Professor at Widener University School of Law,[1] and is currently an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Pittsburgh.[2] In 2023, he announced his candidacy in the 2024 Pennsylvania Attorney General election.[3]

Early life and education

DePasquale was born on August 3, 1971, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[4] He graduated from Central Catholic High School and received a bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster. He later earned an MPP from the University of Pittsburgh and a JD from Widener University Commonwealth Law School.[5]

DePasquale was the eldest of three brothers. His youngest brother died while DePasquale was in law school after suffering from muscular dystrophy. At that time, their father, a Vietnam War veteran, was serving ten and a half years in prison on narcotics charges.[6]

DePasquale is the grandson of Eugene "Jeep" DePasquale, who served in the Pittsburgh City Council between 1971 and 1989.[7]

Early career

DePasquale moved to York in 1997. He served as director of economic development for the City of York in the early 2000s.[8]

From 2003 to 2006, DePasquale served as deputy secretary for community revitalization and local government support of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.[9]

Political career

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

When incumbent state representative Steve Stetler resigned from his seat and withdrew from the ballot during the 2006 elections, DePasquale announced his intent to replace him. The York County Democratic Party selected him as their replacement nominee in August, and he defeated Republican nominee Karen Emenheiser 58.3% to 41.7%.[10] His legislative district included all of the city of York, Spring Garden Township, part of West Manchester Township, and the boroughs of North York and West York.

DePasquale was re-elected in 2008, defeating Republican candidate Lon Emenheiser 75.1% to 24.9%.[11] In 2010, DePasquale was unopposed both in his primary and general re-election bids.[12]

Pennsylvania Auditor General

2012 campaign

In April 2011, DePasquale announced that he would be running for State Auditor General in 2012 to succeed incumbent Jack Wagner, who was term-limited.[13] DePasquale made Marcellus shale drilling a central issue of his campaign, and promised to order an immediate performance audit of the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure the state's water supply had not been compromised by drilling.[14] He defeated Republican state representative John Maher in the fall general election.[15] Both Maher and DePasquale were concurrently re-elected without opposition to their seats in the state house.[16]

DePasquale resigned his seat in the state house on January 15, 2013, and was sworn-in as auditor general later that day. He became the first person from York County to assume statewide elected office since George Leader was elected governor in 1954.[17]

2016 campaign

In the 2016 election, DePasquale was reelected auditor general with 50% of the vote, defeating Republican John Brown.[18]

Tenure

In July 2014, DePasquale announced results of an audit of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) water programs related to the development of the state's shale gas reserves.[19] Results of that audit showed the DEP had been unprepared to effectively administer laws and regulations to protect drinking water and unable to efficiently respond to citizen complaints in the period 2009-2012.[20][21] The report cited sloppy record-keeping, lax oversight, and poor communication with citizens.[22]

A September 2016 report from the Auditor General's office revealed that over 3,000 rape kits were backlogged by local law enforcement agencies, awaiting testing, with 60% of them waiting untested for over a year.[23] A followup in May 2020 announced that the untested backlog had been reduced by 97%, due to increased financial support from the state budget, outside groups and federal programs.[24][25]

In the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the Auditor General's office released a report in November 2018 on the subject of gun safety in Pennsylvania and access to guns by those requiring mental health care, calling for greater monitoring by gun sellers of buyers in emotional distress.[26] DePasquale's office likewise audited the Pennsylvania background-check system for possible gaps and errors in its screenings for ineligible purchasers.[27]

Along with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, DePasquale co-chaired a School Safety Task Force that gathered feedback about safety concerns, drills and security measures to prevent or mitigate school shootings.[28]

In February 2019, DePasquale announced that officials in 18 Pennsylvania counties had disclosed that they had accepted improper (but not illegal) gifts from voting-machine vendors, and that several additional officials had failed to disclose such gifts.[29] This followed an investigation about the security of voter registration data, prompted by election-security concerns originating in the 2016 election.[30]

2020 U.S. House of Representatives candidacy

Term-limited from running again as Auditor General, DePasquale announced in June 2019 his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives to represent Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district.[31] He won the Democratic nomination on June 3, 2020.[32] DePasquale was defeated in the general election, with incumbent Scott Perry being declared the victor on November 5.[33] DePasquale subsequently conceded the race.[34]

2024 Attorney General campaign

On June 1, 2023, DePasquale announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General in the 2024 election. He cited his tenure as Auditor General, winning twice statewide, as a reason to support him, and pledged to be a "pro-choice attorney general."[6] He is the only Democratic primary candidate who has won statewide in Pennsylvania.

Electoral history

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 95, 2006 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale 7,561 58.28
Republican Karen Emenheiser 5,412 41.72
Total votes 12,973 100.00
Democratic hold
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 95, 2008 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale (incumbent) 17,887 75.07
Republican Lon Emenheiser 5,941 24.93
Total votes 23,828 100.00
Democratic hold
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 95, 2010 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale (incumbent) Unopposed
Total votes 9,832 100.00
Democratic hold
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 95, 2012 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale (incumbent) 16,804 83.04
Independent Dave Moser 3,431 16.96
Total votes 20,235 100.00
Democratic hold
2012 Pennsylvania Auditor General election[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale 2,729,565 49.73
Republican John Maher 2,548,767 46.43
Libertarian Betsy Elizabeth Summers 210,876 3.84
Total votes 5,489,208 100.00
Margin of victory 180,798 3.30
Democratic hold
2016 Pennsylvania Auditor General election[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eugene DePasquale (incumbent) 2,958,818 50.01% +0.28%
Republican John Brown 2,667,318 45.08% -1.35%
Green John Sweeney 158,942 2.69% N/A
Libertarian Roy Minet 131,853 2.23% -1.61%
Total votes 5,916,931 100.0% N/A
Democratic hold
Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District Primary Results, 2020[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene DePasquale 29,036 58.6
Democratic Tom Brier 20,552 41.4
Total votes 49,588 100.0
Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District General Election, 2020[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Perry (incumbent) 208,896 53.3
Democratic Eugene DePasquale 182,938 46.7
Total votes 391,834 100.0
Republican hold

References

  1. ↑ "Adjunct Faculty Directory". Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Eugene DePasquale plans to be a 'fighter' as he gets closer to launching his campaign for Pennsylvania attorney general". Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ "DePasquale to run for Pennsylvania attorney general in 2024". Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Eugene A. DePasquale". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Meet Auditor General Eugene DePasquale". Pennsylvania Dept of the Auditor General. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Prose, J.D. (June 1, 2023). "Eugene DePasquale says background is 'perfect fit' for attorney general as he announces bid". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Schmitz, Jon (January 2, 2008). "Former Pittsburgh councilman Eugene "Jeep" DePasquale dies at 85". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  8. ↑ Hullinger, Logan (August 22, 2020). "DePasquale who? Dem candidate for Pa.'s 10th District hits road as name recognition lags". York Dispatch. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Rep. Eugene A. DePasquale Biography". Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. 2008. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information". Archived from the original on November 27, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information". February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ↑ "York_Co_General_Nov_2010 UnOfficial Results". Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  13. ↑ "DePasquale Exploring 2012 Bid for Auditor General | Eugene DePasquale". Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ DePasquale, Eugene. "DePasquale Will Order Review of Water Protection Programs As First Action If Elected Auditor General". Eugene4pa.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  15. ↑ Stonesifer, Tim (November 7, 2012). "Eugene DePasquale wins state auditor general seat". York (PA) Daily Record. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  16. ↑ Clonan, Elyse. "Auditor General Race Raises Questions About Running For Two Offices Simultaneously". Politicspa.com. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  17. ↑ Murphy, Jen (January 16, 2013). "Eugene DePasquale makes midstate history as Pennsylvania's new auditor general". PennLive.com. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  18. ↑ Pedro A., Coates. "Pennsylvania Department of State Elections". Archived from the original on November 13, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General -Auditor General DePasquale Initiates Audit to Ensure Safe Drinking Water". www.paauditor.gov. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Auditor general criticizes DEP". Washington County Observer-Reporter. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General -Auditor General DePasquale Says Rapid Shale Gas Development Outpaced DEP's Ability to Oversee Industry, Protect Water Quality". www.paauditor.gov. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  22. ↑ Phillips, Susan (September 26, 2014). "Pa. Auditor General: Don't rely on DEP for good information". NPR StateImpact. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ Langley, Karen. "Pa. auditor general blames state for backlog on rape kits". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  24. ↑ Guza, Megan (May 5, 2020). "Pennsylvania's backlog of 3,000 untested rape kits now under 100, auditor general says". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  25. ↑ Meyer, Katie (April 11, 2019). "Auditor general praises dwindling rape kit backlog". PA Post. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  26. ↑ Finnerty, John. "Pa. auditor general calls for comprehensive action on gun safety". Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ Tawa, Steve (June 23, 2019). "Auditor general to evaluate Pennsylvania's gun background check system". KYW Newsradio. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Wolf sets up task force in effort to improve school safety". Associated Press. March 15, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Auditor says officials took voting machine vendors' freebies". Associated Press. February 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  30. ↑ Scolforo, Mark (June 11, 2018). "State auditor to study security of Pennsylvania voter rolls". Associated Press. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  31. ↑ Thompson, Charles (June 30, 2019). "Pa. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is running for Congress, and here's why". Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Pennsylvania Primary Election Results: 10th Congressional District". The New York Times. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  33. ↑ Jagoda, Naomi (November 5, 2020). "Freedom Caucus member Scott Perry wins fifth term in Pennsylvania". The Hill. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  34. ↑ Eugene DePasquale [@DePasqualePA] (November 6, 2020). "Just now I called @RepScottPerry to congratulate him on a hard-earned victory. Below is my statement as I end my campaign for Congress. It was an honor to meet you and hear your stories. And I promise you, our work is far from finished" (Tweet). Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
  35. ↑ "2012 General Election - Auditor General". Pennsylvania Department of State. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  36. ↑ "PA Election Returns, 2016 Presidential Election". December 10, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Pennsylvania House Results". CNN. March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
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