The former federal prosecutor just resigned from her position as US Attorney in Philadelphia.
Katayoun “Kat” Copeland, a former federal prosecutor, announced this week that she will run for attorney general of Pennsylvania in 2024.
Copeland, a Republican, recently left the United States Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia to run for attorney general, the state’s top law enforcement official.
The office has a $140 million yearly budget and plays an important role in catching drug traffickers, combating gun trafficking, defending state laws in court, and safeguarding consumers from fraudulent tactics.
It was critical in protecting Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the battleground state, fending off several attempts in state and federal courts by Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican supporters to reverse it.
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Copeland, 56, was also a prosecutor for Delaware County in suburban Philadelphia, where he was the court-appointed district attorney for two years. In 2019, she sought for a full four-year term but was defeated by Democrat Jack Stollsteimer.
Copeland has spent three decades as a prosecutor, working for both the district attorney’s office and the United States Attorney’s Office. She progressed through the ranks of the US Attorney’s Office, becoming chief of the criminal division and serving in the national security and cybercrime units.
Copeland faces opposition in the Republican primary. Dave Sunday, the district attorney for York County, has announced his candidacy and has received the Republican Attorneys General Association’s endorsement. Craig Williams, a state House member from Delaware County, has also announced his intention to run.
Four Democrats have also declared their candidacies: Philadelphia state Rep. Jared Solomon, former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, former federal prosecutor Joe Kahn, and Keir Bradford-Grey, the former head of public defense lawyers in Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
To appear on the April 23 primary ballot, candidates must complete papers by Feb. 13.
Current Attorney General Michelle Henry, who was appointed to finish out Josh Shapiro’s term when he became governor, has stated that she does not intend to run.
