What’s next for the Office of Pa. Attorney General?

(Harrisburg) — A Montgomery County jury has found state Attorney General Kathleen Kane guilty on all counts Monday night, including two felony perjury charges. 

So, what comes next for the office? 

Kane’s attorney said while his client had not resigned in the immediate aftermath of her guilty verdict, the situation would “be sorted out in the coming days.” 

A felony conviction prohibits someone from holding public office in Pennsylvania, but Kane could appeal, and her attorney indicated that was the likely course of action Monday night. 

She could conceivably hold onto the office, but the pressure for her to resign has now hit a fever pitch as the governor, legislative leaders and numerous rank and file lawmakers and other officials called for Kane’s immediate resignation. 

First Deputy Attorney General Bruce Castor has called a press conference for this afternoon in Harrisburg, but gave no indication of what he will say.

Reactions came quickly after the verdict was read last night.

From Governor Tom Wolf’s statement released at 9:22 p.m.:”…There should be no question that she should resign immediately.”

The Governor doubled down on his earlier calls for Kathleen Kane to resign by “imploring” Kane to do “what is right” and step down immediately. 

Some 26 minutes later, Senate Republican leaders Joe Scarnati and Jake Corman weighed in: “In light of the multiple felony convictions, Kathleen Kane should resign immediately as Attorney General. If she elects not to, the Senate will work toward bringing this saga to a close, including an imminent return to session to reconsider her removal under Article VI Section 7 of the state Constitution.” 

Earlier this year, a similar effort fell short of the two-thirds vote needed, but that was before Kane’s conviction.