New Pennsylvania Attorney General Confirmed

The Pennsylvania state Senate unanimously approved Bruce Beemer as the attorney general to replace Kathleen Kane on Tuesday.

Kane resigned earlier this month after a lengthy legal battle culminated in her conviction on nine charges related to perjury. Kane, the first female attorney general in Pennsylvania history, was found to have leaked grand jury documents to the press and then lie about it as part of a heated rivalry with Republican state officials.

The Senate voted 44-0 to confirm Beemer as Kane's replacement. Beemer had been working as the Pennsylvania inspector general prior to his nomination. He also served as a deputy in the Allegheny County District Attorney's office.

“Bruce Beemer has the unique experience and skillset as a prosecutor, lawyer and administrator to begin the healing necessary to put the Attorney General’s office back on track," said Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. "He is trusted by the rank-and-file members of the office and understands better than anyone what must be fixed to restore the public trust. I thank the Senate for their swift confirmation and vote of confidence in Bruce and I look forward to his continued public service to the people of Pennsylvania as Attorney General.”

Beemer will serve out the remainder of Kane's term.

Wolf had appointed former Montgomery County district attorney and Kane's top deputy, Bruce Castor, as the interim attorney general following Kane's resignation.

Beemer graduated in 1992 from the University of Scranton and then attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, which he graduated from in 1995, according to his biography on the state's inspector general page.

Patch file photo.