Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced he has nominated Pennsylvania Inspector General Bruce Beemer to serve as Attorney General.
Both Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats praised the nomination.
“Bruce Beemer has a depth of experience, he has the respect of the employees of the Office of the Attorney General, and I have no doubt that he will make this transition seamless and smooth,” said Gov. Wolf. “I have spoken with Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate, and we have agreed that Bruce is the right fit for Attorney General at this time, and I am confident that he will be confirmed expeditiously. Bruce earned a reputation across the Commonwealth as a tough prosecutor, effective administrator and thoughtful legal mind, which is why I appointed him Inspector General. I have great faith in his ability and know that he will serve efficiently and effectively as Attorney General. I also want to thank Bruce Castor for his service to the office, and I wish him well moving forward.”
If confirmed as Attorney General, Beemer will resume his role as Inspector General upon completion of his service as Attorney General.
Senate Comments
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) have issued a statement on the Governor’s nomination of a new Attorney General:
“Gov. Wolf’s nomination of Bruce Beemer will help to provide stability for the office of Pennsylvania’s Attorney General. We believe that Mr. Beemer will represent the legal interests of the Commonwealth in a trustworthy manner.
“Discussions with members of the Senate are currently taking place and we anticipate scheduling a Senate confirmation vote in the near future. It will be our recommendation to the Republican Caucus that they support Mr. Beemer to fill the vacancy.
“Mr. Beemer is well respected within the Office of Attorney General and we are confident that he will provide sound leadership until Pennsylvania’s next Attorney General is selected by the voters on November 8th.”
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said, “The governor has nominated an experienced administrator and prosecutor who will bring stability to the Office of Attorney General. Bruce Beemer has worked in courtrooms in Allegheny County and has ably handled administrative functions related to the attorney general’s office in Harrisburg.
“While the appointment will only be for a short period it will serve an important transition. Mr. Beemer’s steady hand, knowledge of the functions of the office and legal expertise will be very welcomed.
“I am hopeful that this nomination will be well received by the Senate.”
Castor Comments
Interim Attorney General Bruce L. Castor, Jr. said in a statement: "The Commonwealth Attorneys Act states “in the event of a vacancy in the position of Attorney General, the governor shall nominate, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and, by and with the advice and consent of two thirds of the members elected to the Senate, appoint a person to fill position for the balance of the unexpired term of the Attorney General.
“In nominating General Beemer, Governor Wolf, as would be expected, is complying with the governor’s express duties under the Act. I will do all within my power to see that the Office of Attorney General is in the best possible shape for whenever the next Attorney General arrives. Until then, we will maintain the status quo: addressing pressing matters ordinarily handled by our office only.”
Beemer Biography
Bruce Beemer currently serves as Pennsylvania’s Inspector General, and prior to that he served as first deputy in the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania where he oversaw the day to day operations of the Criminal, Civil, and Public Protection Divisions, as well as being responsible for the management of almost 800 employees.
He previously served as a deputy district attorney in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. After joining that office as an assistant district attorney in 1996, he worked in the Crimes Persons, Narcotics and Homicide trial units where he tried over 100 jury trials and prosecuted over 75 homicide cases. He was responsible for several gang-related prosecutions within the City of Pittsburgh involving multi-jurisdictional coordination with state and federal agencies.
In 2005, Mr. Beemer was made supervisor of the District Attorney’s General Trial Units and Summary Appeals Units. He managed a group of prosecutors in the office and regularly advised city, county, and municipal police departments on legal issues relating to active investigations.
He trained police officers and prosecutors on behalf of the Municipal Police Officer Training and Education Center, the Allegheny County Police Academy and the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association.
From 2005 to 2011 Mr. Beemer was an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law where he taught trial advocacy to third year law students. He has served as a Board Member for the Center for Victims of Violent Crime.
In 2010, Mr. Beemer left the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to engage in a private practice focused on plaintiffs’ environmental toxic tort cases and white collar criminal defense.
In late 2011, he was appointed Chief of Staff for the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania under Attorney General Linda Kelly and in 2013, he was appointed Chief of Criminal Prosecutions under Attorney General Kathleen Kane before being named First Deputy.
Mr. Beemer graduated summa cum laude in 1992 from the University of Scranton and in 1995 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He resides just north of Pittsburgh in Bradford Woods, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Jodi have two children ages 9 and 7.
NewsClips:
Wolf Nominates Bruce Beemer To Replace Kane
