HARRISBURG — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted unanimously to forward the nomination of Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
Ms. Henry had served as first deputy attorney general for then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro before he was elected governor.
Ms. Henry told lawmakers that she intends to complete the two years remaining in Mr. Shapiro’s uncompleted term as attorney general but she has no intention of running to remain attorney general beyond that.
Ms. Henry was raised in Westmoreland County and graduated from Greensburg-Salem public schools. She is a graduate of Allegheny College and the Widener University School of Law, worked for the Westmoreland County Legal Aid Office, and clerked for now retired Lancaster County President Judge Michael Georgelis.
Before serving as first deputy, Ms. Henry dedicated over 20 years of her career to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office — taking on critical jobs including chief of major crimes, chief of child abuse, and first assistant. She was appointed Bucks County District Attorney with a bipartisan vote in 2008. Ms. Henry helped establish the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that assists physically or sexually abused children, focusing on reducing their trauma while involved with the judicial system.
That work drew praise from Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, who said it demonstrates that Ms. Henry is “not just well-versed in the law and the courtroom, but someone who has actively engaged in community efforts aimed at directing kids in safe and productive directions.”
Speaking to members of the committee, Ms. Henry cited examples of actions the Attorney General’s office has taken in the few months since she took the helm.
Those included making additional arrests of Jehovah’s Witness church members accused of preying on children;
“We’ve become the voice for those who need a voice,” she said.
Ms. Henry’s nomination now goes to the full Senate.
