2016 Pennsylvania Attorney General election

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%.

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Withdrawn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

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Withdrawn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