Kathy McGuiness

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Kathy McGuiness
Auditor of Delaware
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
GovernorJohn Carney
Preceded byTom Wagner
Personal details
BornDover, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationFlorida Institute of Technology (BS)
Northeastern University (BS)
Websiteauditor.delaware.gov

Kathleen Kramedas McGuiness (born in Dover, Delaware) is an American politician who has been the Delaware state auditor since January 2019.

Early life and career[]

McGuiness graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 1985. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology at the Florida Institute of Technology and her bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Northeastern University in Boston.[citation needed] After returning to Delaware, she bought a pharmacy in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where she was elected a town commissioner in 2000. She sold her pharmacy in 2002 to become a real estate agent.[1][better source needed]

In 2010, McGuiness and her family moved to Park City, Utah, and she resigned from the Rehoboth town board in 2012 because she was unable to attend the meetings.[2] She moved back to Delaware and was elected to another term as a town commissioner in 2014.[3] As a member of the Democratic Party, McGuiness ran for lieutenant governor of Delaware in 2016, but she lost the party's nomination in the primary election.[4] She was subsequently appointed to the Delaware State University Board of Trustees by then governor, Jack Markell[5] and reelected to the town board in 2017.[6]

Delaware state auditor[]

In 2018, McGuiness ran for state auditor. She won the Democratic Party nomination, defeating Kathleen Davies and former state representative Dennis E. Williams in the primary election.[7] She defeated Republican James Spadola in the general election to become the first woman elected to the position.[8][9] She was sworn into office on January 1, 2019, replacing Republican Tom Wagner, who had decided not to seek reelection after serving in the office since 1989.[10][11]

On October 11, 2021, McGuiness was indicted on two felony charges and several misdemeanor charges alleging that she paid her daughter and her daughter's friend nearly $30,000 from the state for jobs they did not work, orchestrated no-bid contracts for former campaign consultants while avoiding reporting requirements, and engaged in email surveillance and other intimidation of employees who became aware of her misconduct, among other charges.[12][13][14] Her attorney released a statement saying that she is "absolutely innocent of these charges", and the next day, she turned herself in and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.[15] Her trial is scheduled to begin in May 2022.[16]

References[]

  1. ^ "'Cape Proud' of Kathy McGuiness". Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation. Cape Gazette. October 30, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Mavity, Ryan (January 10, 2012). "McGuiness steps down in Rehoboth". Cape Gazette.
  3. ^ Pacella, Rachael (August 21, 2014). "After two-year hiatus, McGuiness returns to Rehoboth board". DelmarvaNow. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  4. ^ Cherry, Amy (October 26, 2015). "Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Kathy McGuiness hopes to be Delaware's next lieutenant governor". WDEL-FM. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  5. ^ "Kathy McGuiness Sworn in as New DSU Board Member". Press Release. Delaware State University. January 19, 2017.
  6. ^ Goebel, Taylor (November 21, 2018). "After election win, Kathy McGuiness to step down as Rehoboth commissioner". DelmarvaNow. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Goss, Scott (December 4, 2018). "Shake-up in Auditor's Office may not be last twist in prolonged drama". The News Journal.
  8. ^ Hayes, Kevin (November 7, 2018). "First Dem in 28 years, 1st woman ever, McGuiness defeats Spadola for state auditor". WDEL 1150 AM.
  9. ^ "State of Delaware General Election Official Results". Office of the State Election Commissioner. Dover, Delaware: Delaware Department of Elections. November 6, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "McGuiness sworn in as auditor of accounts". Cape Gazette. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  11. ^ Goss, Scott. "State Auditor Tom Wagner not seeking re-election amid health concerns". The News Journal.
  12. ^ "State Auditor McGuiness indicted". Cape Gazette. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  13. ^ Wilson, Xerxes; Gamard, Sarah. "Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness indicted on 2 felony charges". The News Journal.
  14. ^ Chase, Randall (October 11, 2021). "Delaware State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness accused of nepotism, fraud, witness intimidation". 6abc Philadelphia. Associated Press.
  15. ^ "Delaware State Auditor McGuiness Turns Self in, Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges". WBOC. October 12, 2021.
  16. ^ Gamard, Sarah; Wilson, Xerxes. "Trial date set for Delaware auditor corruption trial; lawmakers punt on removal for now". The News Journal.

External links[]

Political offices
Preceded by Auditor of Delaware
2019–present 		Incumbent
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