Former State Auditor Kathy McGuiness officially files to run for Rehoboth-area House seat

After creating a campaign finance committee last week, former State Auditor Kathy McGuiness filed for retiring District 14 Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf's House seat Monday.

McGuiness, who became the first sitting, statewide officeholder to be convicted of a crime before resigning as auditor, joins two other Democrats in the Rehoboth Beach-area race: Marty Rendon and Claire Snyder-Hall. No Republicans have filed.

In 2022, McGuiness was convicted on two misdemeanor charges, conflict of interest and official misconduct, related to hiring her daughter in the auditor's office. Earlier this year, the misconduct conviction was overturned and the Department of Justice announced it would not retry the case.

Background:State Auditor Kathy McGuiness sentenced for public corruption convictions

McGuiness's attorney, Steve Wood, said she is "glad that she can finally put this matter behind her and move forward."

Schwartzkopf, who stepped down as Speaker of the House last year, refused to bring the House back into session to vote on a resolution related to removing McGuiness from office in 2022.

District 14 includes Rehoboth Beach and parts of Lewes and Dewey Beach. McGuiness served as a Rehoboth Beach commissioner for over 15 years, starting in 2000.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.