Kane says suspension of law license could stop her from seeking reelection
HARRISBURG - The suspension of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's law license may not keep her from remaining in her job for now, but it could prevent her from running for reelection.
HARRISBURG - The suspension of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's law license may not keep her from remaining in her job for now, but it could prevent her from running for reelection.
The embattled attorney general, facing criminal charges for allegedly leaking confidential documents, said she did not believe she would be able to seek another four-year term when she is up for reelection next year.
"I believe you have to be a lawyer in good standing to be able to run," she told the Associated Press on Thursday.
Her spokesman, Chuck Ardo, said in an interview that although Kane still wanted to seek reelection, he believed it would be "a challenge" to have her license reinstated by early next year, when she would need to file paperwork to become a candidate.
Kane's comments are a marked reversal from her previously held assertions that she was not going anywhere. She would not heed calls to resign, and she vowed to seek reelection.
Kane, 49, the state's first woman and Democrat elected attorney general, has pleaded not guilty and is fighting the charges.
The new development was a dramatic twist in an already tumultuous week for Kane, who on Monday was notified by the state Supreme Court that her law license was being suspended as a result of the criminal charges.
The high court's decision means that Kane, once her suspension takes effect Oct. 21, can no longer make legal decisions in the office. She can perform only administrative duties, such as hiring or firing.
The state constitution requires an attorney general to be a member of the bar. But just as there was debate over whether the license suspension would automatically force her from office, there is disagreement as to whether it would disqualify her from running for office.
"Her statement just makes no sense in light of the fact that she is staying in office," said L. George Parry, a veteran Philadelphia lawyer and former federal and city prosecutor. "If she is not qualified to run for attorney general, then I don't see how she's qualified to be attorney general. It is that simple."
Parry said that if Kane decided to run, her candidacy would almost certainly face a legal challenge and that the question of her eligibility for the office would wind up before the state Supreme Court.
Walter Cohen, a former acting attorney general, said the issue was not whether Kane could legally run - he says he believes she can - but whether she could win her party's nomination.
With Gov. Wolf and other top Democrats calling for her resignation, it is likely they will back another candidate, making it "close to impossible" for Kane to overcome the political hurdle, Cohen said.
Cohen, a Republican who also served as the state's public welfare secretary, predicted she would have a difficult time winning her party's nomination or the general election.
"Who's going to contribute to her campaign?" he said.
Kane is accused of conspiracy, official oppression, perjury, and other crimes for allegedly leaking confidential grand jury material in a bid to embarrass a former top prosecutor in her office with whom she is feuding.
Prosecutors in Montgomery County say that Kane lied about her involvement in the leak when questioned about it under oath, and that she then deployed top aides to spy on the investigation into her office.
Prosecutors have said her trial would begin early next year, just as she would be seeking reelection.
Two Republicans have announced their candidacies: State Sen. John Rafferty and State Rep. Todd Stephens, both of Montgomery County.
If she decides to run, Kane will face a primary challenge from longtime Delaware County prosecutor Jack Stollsteimer.
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