Lorrah announces candidacy for Delaware auditor

Janice Lorrah, the mom who sued Gov. John Carney over his unilateral extension of the school masking mandate in February, recently announced her candidacy for Delaware’s auditor of accounts.

“Delaware ranks 47th among the 50 states for inefficient use of taxpayer dollars,” said Lorrah in a press release. “In addition, our state is the second worst in transparency and accountability. These numbers are unacceptable.” 

Lorrah says she will seek to increase government transparency and accountability as well as identify waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. Lorrah views transparency and accountability as key factors in deterring abuse and generating public confidence in the political system.

“Confidence in our government is at an all-time low,” Lorrah said. “It is going to take someone with a track record of standing up when government goes off the rails to be a true watchdog for the people.

“I stood up for Delaware’s parents and children in February, and now I’m ready to stand up for all of Delaware’s taxpayers as the state’s auditor,” she said. 

Lorrah’s announcement comes near the start of the criminal trial of Delaware’s current auditor, Kathleen McGuiness. In October 2021, McGuiness was indicted on three misdemeanors and two felonies stemming from her acts in office, including charges alleging conflict of interest, felony theft, noncompliance with procurement law, official misconduct and felony witness intimidation. If found guilty, McGuiness faces more than 10 years in prison.

Lorrah said she promises to be a check on government spending. “We are in a unique situation where the state and local governments are flush with money, much of it from COVID relief programs. Taxpayers have a right to know where this money is going and to be assured that it is being used as intended,” she said.

Lorrah has been an attorney for 20 years, having graduated with honors from Rutgers-Camden Law School in 2002. Following law school, she was a federal clerk for the Hon. Stanley Brotman, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, before entering private practice. Lorrah has extensive experience with Medicaid, which she intends to make part of her campaign. 

“Failing to comply with the requirements of Delaware’s state plan puts Delaware’s federal Medicaid funding at risk,” Lorrah said. Medicaid costs have risen to over 25% of the state of Delaware’s budget and are on track to increase beyond that in the coming years. Approximately 60% of funding for Delaware’s Medicaid program comes from the federal government. Without federal dollars, state taxpayers would be forced to pick up the entire tab.

“Now, more than ever, there is a need for oversight and monitoring to ensure that state and federal Medicaid laws are being followed,” Lorrah said.

Editor’s note: This is a submitted press release.