Kane’s legal woes stoke interest in 2016 election

Candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general are lining up for the 2016 ballot without knowing whether they’ll be running against embattled Democratic incumbent Kathleen Kane or for a vacant seat.

Amid uncertainty over Kane’s status as she fights criminal charges, one Democrat and two Republicans already have declared their candidacy — months before the parties are to consider candidate endorsements early next year. Kane says she’s innocent and that she’s seeking re-election.

The Republican candidates are both lawmakers from Montgomery County: Sen. John Rafferty and Rep. Todd Stephens.

The only Democrat to declare so far is Delaware County lawyer and ex-prosecutor Jack Stollsteimer, but party insiders speculate that Montgomery County commissioners chairman Josh Shapiro may run and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli says he also may be a candidate.

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