Gubernatorial Candidates
Joe Hoeffel
Joe Hoeffel is proud of his thirty-year record of progressive politics,
effective and pragmatic leadership, and fiscal responsibility on behalf
of his constituents, having represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
as a State Representative, a U.S. Congressman, and a Montgomery County
Commissioner.
Joe is a lifelong resident of Abington, Pennsylvania in Montgomery County.
Growing up, his parents instilled in him the values of personal integrity
and social responsibility. Joe graduated from Boston University and served
as an US Army Reservist during and after college.
At the age of 26, Joe was elected to the Pennsylvania State House, becoming
the first Democrat to represent the Abington area in 60 years, and soon
after married Francesca, his wife of now 32 years,. Joe served four terms
in the State House from 1977 to 1984. He worked on budget and government
reform, mass transit, economic development, and programs for seniors.
The first bill Joe passed in the state House in 1978 was a campaign reform
proposal improving financial disclosure. Joe supported women's reproductive
freedoms and opposed the 1981 Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act.
After the birth of his children, Mary, now 29, and Jake, now 27, Joe returned
to the private sector and earned his law degree at Temple University in
1986. While his children were young, Joe practiced law in Montgomery County,
enjoying assistant-coaching his son's baseball team and cheering on his
daughter. Joe's wife, Francesca, a registered nurse with a Master's degree
in public health nursing, began at this time her career as a school nurse
in Philadelphia public schools, a position she has held now for 23 years.
In 1991, Joe was elected to the first of two terms as Montgomery County
Commissioner, serving through 1998, and where he fought for open space
preservation, community revitalization and reforms of patronage and pay-to-play
abuses in the courthouse. In 1996, Joe ran for the U.S. House of Representatives,
challenging a freshman incumbent, and lost by just 84 votes.
In 1998 Joe was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he
served three terms, from 1999 to 2004, representing Pennsylvania's 13th
District. He earned a reputation as a hardworking moderate legislator,
a deficit hawk on the budget and a strong advocate of expanded healthcare
coverage. Joe was a member of House Committees on International Relations,
Budget, Science, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
As a Congressman, Joe introduced legislation to eliminate wasteful corporate
welfare, to reform federal support for public schools, to establish a
patients' bill of rights, and to reform the Medicare prescription drug
plan for seniors. In 2004, Joe founded "Iraq Watch" and made
30 speeches on the floor of the House urging changes in our military and
foreign policies in Iraq.
In 2008 Joe was elected once again to serve as a Montgomery County Commissioner,
where as Vice Chairman of the Board he works hard to promote economic
opportunity, improve the county government, protect the environment and
expand health care.
For more information visit: http://joehoeffel2010.com/
Dan
Onorato
A life-long Pennsylvanian, Dan Onorato was raised in a working class neighborhood
on Pittsburgh's North Side. Dan's father worked as a mechanic at the Allis-Chalmers
factory, and his mother worked at a local elementary school. Dan was raised
to believe that family and faith are always most important, and that when
times are tough, everyone must pitch in.
Dan's parents didn't go to college, but they dreamed that their children
could. Working during the summer in building maintenance and retail, Dan
paid his way through Penn State and graduated with a degree in accounting.
He then worked as a Certified Public Accountant before continuing his
education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he earned
a law degree and met his future wife, Shelly.
After working several years in the private sector, Dan was inspired to
run for public office because he felt that his hometown, Pittsburgh, was
falling behind. Plants were shutting down, hardworking folks were losing
their jobs and politicians were out of touch.
So in 1991, Dan waged an improbable campaign for City Council against
an entrenched politician. It was a race that virtually nobody thought
Dan could win. After all, Dan wasn't from a political family and didn't
have much money. But he had an unmatched work ethic and new, fresh ideas.
He knocked on doors day and night, listened to voters and shared his plans
for bringing the city back. Dan shocked the political establishment by
winning the City Council seat, and he easily went on to win re-election
in 1995.
Once in office, Dan fought hard to put more police officers on the streets,
build private-public partnerships to save assets like the City Zoo and
pass a tax cut to help small businesses create new jobs.
While on City Council, Dan also observed first-hand that Allegheny County
could be more efficiently managed and that taxpayer dollars could be better
protected. So in 1999, he successfully ran for Allegheny County Controller
and spent four years as the city's watchdog against wasteful spending
and fraud. Dan took on organizations that abused taxpayer money and exposed
a big health care provider that gave away hundreds of thousands of taxpayer
dollars to top executives as bonuses.
In 2003, Dan again challenged the status quo, this time running for Executive
of Allegheny County against an incumbent Republican. After a decisive
come-from-behind victory, Dan brought a new, more fiscally responsible
approach to governing Pennsylvania's second largest county (1.2 million
residents). He immediately implemented smart reforms to eliminate waste
and worked to transform Western Pennsylvania - once a symbol for America's
declining manufacturing sector - into a hub for 21st-century jobs.
By finding innovative ways for Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh
to combine services, Dan has saved the region's taxpayers millions of
dollars. He took on the establishment and led the row office campaign
to consolidate 10 political offices. To keep county finances in order,
he reduced the county's payroll by hundreds of positions. Dan also cut
property taxes twice, took action to prevent dramatic swings in property
values and eliminated backdoor property tax increases. Under Dan's watch,
Allegheny County is the only county in the region to hold the line on
property taxes in each of the past seven years.
As County Executive, Dan has helped the private sector thrive and create
thousands of good-paying jobs in innovative fields - energy, health care,
finance, advanced manufacturing and higher education. He has aggressively
promoted programs to help women and minority-owned businesses thrive.
To help folks who lost their jobs to get back on their feet, Dan established
a worker retraining program at the local community college. The program,
which is offered tuition-free, has already helped hundreds of laid-off
workers get 21st-century jobs.
Dan is running for Governor because Pennsylvania's families need a government
that is more efficient and more responsive to their needs. As a public
official, Dan has never settled for the status quo, and as Governor, Dan
will bring new ideas to reform government, clean up Harrisburg, create
new 21st-century jobs, strengthen our education system and invest in new
energy solutions.
Dan and Shelly reside in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh
with their children Kate (17), Emily (15) and Danny (12). The family attends
St. Cyril's Catholic Church.
For more information visit: http://voteonorato.com
Jack
Wagner
Jack Wagner, now serving as Pennsylvania's 50th elected Auditor General,
has dedicated his life to public service. Jack is a proven leader with
the integrity and common sense approach that we need to rebuild our foundation
and secure a strong future for all Pennsylvanians. His life experience
from Marine to Auditor General demonstrates his core values of integrity
and common sense and has shaped his vision for rebuilding Pennsylvania.
" Purple Heart Recipient for his combat service in the Vietnam War.
" Serving the community on boards of several community organizations
including veterans' organizations and medical institutions.
" Highest vote-getter in PA in 2008 of any candidate; 2nd highest
votes EVER received by a candidate in a PA election.
" Created an annual event for local veterans.
" Over 25,000 audits saving millions of taxpayer dollars for PA.
" Proud father of 2 children, loving husband to Nancy.
Jack Wagner grew up in Western Pennsylvania in the Beechview section of
Pittsburgh, leaving to join the Marines and serve in Vietnam in 1966.
Earning a Purple Heart and numerous military commendations for his infantry
service, Jack returned home in 1968.
He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the G.I. Bill, graduating
in 1974 with a degree in the new field of Safety Management. Jack went
into the private sector as a Safety Consultant, working to ensure that
businesses provide safe work environments for their employees. During
these early years he joined the American Society of Safety Engineers and
the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 29.
Frustrated by a lack of responsiveness from City Government to neighborhood
concerns, Jack was elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 1984. He served
for ten years, representing all city neighborhoods, including serving
four years as Council President (1990-1993).
Jack served in the State Senate for over 10 years where he was a leading
advocate for early childhood education, expanded prescription drug coverage
for seniors, and property tax reform. He served as Democratic Caucus Chairman,
the third highest leadership position, and as the Democratic Chairman
of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
After 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors watching
the bottom line, reforming operations, and fighting for Pennsylvania families,
Jack was elected Auditor General on November 2, 2004 and was re-elected
in 2008. Under Jack's leadership as the Commonwealth's independent fiscal
watchdog, the Auditor General's office has completed more than 25,000
audits saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Jack is a lifelong resident of the Beechview neighborhood in Pittsburgh,
where he lives with Nancy, his wife of 27 years. They are the proud parents
of Luke and Sara. They are members of St. Catherine of Siena Church.
Throughout 40 years of public and private service, Jack has valued honor
and integrity, and a straightforward common sense approach. These core
values, along with a roll-your-sleeves-up kind of leadership, will help
Jack realize his plan to rebuild our foundation and secure a stronger
future for all of Pennsylvania.
For more information visit: http://www.jackwagner.org
Anthony
Williams
Anthony Hardy Williams never dreamed he'd hold elective office growing
up. He planned to take over the business world, first by honing his skills
at a Fortune 500 company and then, striking out on his own. He did both,
working as an executive for PepsiCo, then launching his own vending company.
Then his world exploded - literally. That's when he watched part of the
neighborhood he grew up in engulfed in flames during the 1985 MOVE standoff
in Philadelphia. He saw hopelessness creeping into formerly vibrant communities.
He watched companies closing and jobs leaving, not just in his corner
of the world, but all across Pennsylvania. Fear rose. Opportunities waned.
Something needed to be done.
He realized that someone had to advocate for his neighbors. Someone had
to address the issues they faced around the kitchen table and the boardroom
table. Someone had to have better ideas. So he stepped up.
The spirit that drove him to enter politics then, at age 31, continues
today. As governor, he would put his economics degree from Franklin &
Marshall College to work to deliver what families across the Commonwealth
want and need: great schools for their children and secure jobs in clean,
thriving communities with lower taxes that allow both businesses and neighborhoods
to flourish.
That means expanding educational options so targeted public dollars go
to schools that offer results - be it a neighborhood, charter or private
school. It means ensuring that lessons learned equal skills that can transfer
to a job or a degree program. That requires supporting programs that work,
not forcing higher taxes on homeowners and businesses to make up for waste
and shortfalls. It'll result in putting more people to work, instead of
letting another generation languish and leaving yet another to pick up
the tab.
He follows a simple dictate: use the best ideas - regardless if they originate
with a fellow Democrat, a Republican or an Independent. It's a people-centered
approach to leadership.
That's how he operates in the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he serves
as Democratic chairman of the State Government Committee and is a member
of the Education, Banking and Insurance, Finance, Environmental Resources
and Energy committees, and the Life Sciences Caucus. He is also a member
of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and sits on a number of community
boards. As senator for the 8th District, he connects with and offers solutions
for citizens in small towns, suburban enclaves and urban centers, serving
people of all economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
He has tackled issues that impact real people and their day-to-day lives,
be that ending unfair credit scoring practices, curbing energy rate hikes
or improving public schools. He is fearless in his approach when it concerns
improving the lives of his constituents - even if it means standing up
to his party or its patrons.
It comes from the moral courage his father, the late Hardy Williams, and
his mother, Carole Williams-Green, instilled in him. It's drawn from the
inspiration he finds in his wife of 15 years, Shari.
Like you, he wants to leave a better world, not just for their two daughters,
Asia and Autumn, but for all of Pennsylvania's children.
For more information visit: http://williams4governor.com
Lieutenant Governor
Scott Conklin
Biography of Scott Conklin
State Representative - Pennsylvania - 77th District
Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) was born in 1958 and lives in Rush Township.
Conklin has been married to his wife Terri since 1984. They have one son,
Spencer, who was born in 1987.
In the state House, he serves on the committees of Environmental Resources and Energy, where he is majority secretary; Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Appropriations; and Education. He is vice chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, and is a member of the Lupus and Alzheimer's Awareness caucuses.
Before being elected to the state House in 2006, Conklin served as Centre County Commissioner for seven years. During his tenure as commissioner, he served as board chairman and chairman of the Salary Board, Retirement Board, Employee Benefits Trust, and Board of Assessment. Other county boards Conklin served on included Elections, Emergency Communications, Criminal Justice Advisory, Prison, SuperFund Amendments Reauthorization Act of 1986-Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the Finance Committee.
Conklin's community involvement stems from his positions on various community boards and within organizations including the Bellefonte/Intervalley Chamber, Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, Centre Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, C-Net and the United Way. He is a member of the Elks, the Pomona Grange, and the Mosquito Creek and Three Points Sportsmen's clubs. He also is a past member of the Builders Association of Central Pennsylvania.
Conklin is a member of the United Methodist Church. He and Terri are the owners of Conklin's Corner Antique Mall in Philipsburg.
For more information visit: http://www.scottconklin.net
Jonathan Saidel
Introducing Jonathan A. Saidel
Jonathan Saidel, the highest vote getter in the history of Philadelphia,
is seeking the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the 2010 primary.
Saidel served as Philadelphia's City Controller for sixteen years. He
is credited with redefining the role of the City Controller, assuming
a pro-active, problem-solving activism well beyond the scope of the city
charter.
As Controller, he won local and national plaudits for reforming and professionalizing
the Controller's office, his dedication to fiscal discipline and innovative
ideas to grow Philadelphia. His 1999 book "Philadelphia: A New Urban
Direction" continues to be used as a textbook in college level urban
studies courses.
A lifelong resident of the working families' neighborhoods of Northeast Philadelphia, Saidel has been called "a taxpayer's best friend" for his outspoken advocacy of reducing Philadelphia's crushing tax burden in order to spur economic development in every neighborhood and stop the exodus of people and jobs from the city. His work with then-Mayor Rendell in the early 1990s helped return Philadelphia from the brink of bankruptcy and onto sure footing. His groundbreaking audits and proposed government reforms have saved the taxpayers over $500 million since 1990.
Among Saidel's lauded audits and performance reviews are studies of minority and small business lending programs, health care provision through the City's health clinics, and a visionary plan to rehabilitate Philadelphia's City Hall, an architectural landmark that has fallen into disrepair.
A veteran of the United States Army, Saidel's deeply rooted sense of service keeps him actively involved with numerous causes and organizations including the Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response, Back on My Feet, CORA, Greater Philadelphia Film Board, St. Hubert's Catholic High School For Girls, and the Labor Advisory Board of America.
Saidel is a graduate of Temple University and the Delaware Law School of Widener College. He is both an attorney and certified public accountant. In addition to practicing law, he is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government and teaches Government Finance as an Adjunct Professor in the MBA Program at Drexel University.
Recently blessed with granddaughter Naomi, Jonathan is the proud father of four children, Hope, Nick, and twins Joshua and Jacqueline, all raised by him in the same Northeast Philadelphia row house neighborhood where his parents raised him.
Why He Will Win
Saidel is the only candidate for Lieutenant Governor that will convincingly
win the primary AND add value to the gubernatorial ticket in the general
election. Nearly 60% of the Democratic primary votes come from the Philadelphia
media market. Saidel's16 years in elected office, and his record as one
of the highest vote-getters in Philadelphia history have him uniquely
positioned to carry this bloc overwhelmingly.
Outside of the Philadelphia market, Saidel's record as a no-nonsense problem-solver
appeals to a wide demographic of primary voter. As Pennsylvania's fiscal
crisis intensifies, Pennsylvania's are looking for a candidate with a
proven record managing scare tax dollars. On this critical issue, Saidel's
experience is without rival.
With the gubernatorial primary dominating earned and paid media, Saidel's
reputation and relationship with institutional stakeholders will dominate
this down-ballot contest. Saidel has already received the enthusiastic
endorsement of several labor unions - the Firefighters, School Teachers
and Teamsters - with many more expected. City and County Controller's
across the Commonwealth are hailing Saidel's record in that post and signing
up to support our campaign.
A ferocious campaigner, Saidel has already been to each of Pennsylvania's
major media markets and lined up local support in every corner of the
state. In 2002, there was a closely contested primary for Lieutenant Governor
in which the prevailing candidate raised less than $400,000. With nearly
$750,000 raised to-date, Saidel will have the financial resources necessary
to introduce himself 'early and often' to voters outside of his political
base.
For more information visit: www.pafprsaidel.com
Doris
Smith-Ribner
My Background:
I recently retired as a statewide appeals court judge on the Commonwealth
Court of Pennsylvania after serving for 2l ½ years. I was elected
in 1987 for ten years and retained in two subsequent elections in 1997
and 2007. I decided countless cases that have impacted the lives of our
working families and the education of children as well as impacted the
business and corporate community; local and state government operations
including audits of government spending; local, state and federal candidates
for office; land use in counties throughout the state; employee/employer
labor relations; and many other cases involving health, safety and welfare
issues affecting citizens throughout our state.
Over the years, I have made time to mentor young people, support senior
citizens' activities, develop scholarships and educational programs, aid
the homeless, host government officials and dignitaries traveling to our
state from around the world and perform a variety of other community services.
My parents were working-class people who taught their ten children the
virtue of hard work and perseverance. They instilled in my siblings and
me a belief in the ability to achieve despite all odds, and they fostered
a commitment to public service. Most important is that they maintained
strong family values, which I share with my Husband former U.S. Air Force
Captain and retired Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Ribner and our lovely
20 year-old Daughter.
For more information visit: http://www.smithribnerforlieutenantgovernor.com
U.S. Senate
Arlen Specter
Senator Arlen Specter has always put Pennsylvania above politics. As the
first five-term U.S. Senator in Pennsylvania history, Specter has maintained
a strong record of tackling tough issues and working to forge bipartisan
solutions to our country's most difficult problems.
In 2006 Time Magazine named him one of "America's 10 Best Senators,"
and a 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer editorial boasted, "Senator Arlen
Specter has more clout than some sovereign nations."
Elected to the Senate in 1980, Senator Specter has worked tirelessly to
find solutions to the problems that Pennsylvania's families face every
day. In February, Senator Specter cast the deciding vote in support of
President Obama's economic stimulus plan. The stimulus bill will provide
billions of dollars for investments in Pennsylvania's
economy and infrastructure -- and will create more than 140,000 new jobs
here.
Senator Specter has always taken action to protect the most vulnerable
in our society and has consistently stood up for ordinary citizens. Specter
has received praise for his support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,
his vote in support of Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), his
continual support for increasing the minimum wage, his advocacy for medical
research and support for our veterans and his relentless efforts to improve
occupational safety.
Senator Specter is long known for his accessibility and for his extensive
travels throughout Pennsylvania, regularly visiting all 67 counties.
Born to immigrant parents in Kansas, Specter grew up in a small town where
he worked loading scrap iron in his father's junkyard. His boyhood there
instilled in him an appreciation for the value of hard work and an attitude
of rugged individualism. After receiving his undergraduate degree from
the University of Pennsylvania and later a law degree from Yale, Specter
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served stateside during the Korean
War. Senator Specter began his career in public service as an assistant
district attorney, and later was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia.
For more information visit: http://www.specter2010.com/
Joe
Sestak
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Joe Sestak was elected to Congress in 2006 to represent the 7th Congressional
District where he was born and raised. During a distinguished 31-year
career in the United States Navy, Joe attained the rank of 3-star Admiral
and served in the White House, Pentagon, and in operational commands at
sea. He is the senior military veteran, and the highest-ranking former
military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He attended
the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a Ph.D. in Political Economy and
Government from Harvard University. After retiring from the Navy, Joe
returned home to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan,
and daughter, Alex, and proudly represents the 7th District, where his
mom and many of his seven siblings still reside.
Joe is the son of a first-generation American, a decorated World War II veteran who rose to be a U.S. Navy Captain. Following in his father's footsteps, Joe went to U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class, before embarking on a career of military service. He served as President Bill Clinton's Director for Defense Policy in the White House, oversaw the Navy's $70 billion warfare budget as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, and led a series of commands at sea, culminating in command of the GEORGE WASHINGTON Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (30 ships, 100 aircraft, and 15,000 Sailors, Marines & SEALs) during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In our time of national crisis in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the Navy turned to Joe Sestak to head "Deep Blue," the Navy anti-terrorism unit formed in response to the attacks.
Joe is running for Senate because he believes we must restore the promise to our children that they will have the opportunity based upon their talents to do even better than their parents. People in powerful positions have forgotten that the great American Dream is not about getting ahead, but rather creating a better America for the next generation and inspiring them to do the same. For the first time in history, that great compact between today's and tomorrow's generation has been broken. Joe believes we must restore hard work, honesty, and accountability to Washington DC to address the challenges we face and during his short time in Congress, he has delivered.
Since taking office in 2006, Joe has been named the most productive member in his legislative class. He is one of the few representatives to serve on three committees, serving as Vice Chair of the Small Business Committee, and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor and the Armed Services Committee. In the current Congress he has had more of his bills pass than either of the state's two Senators, and is among the top five members of Congress in the number of bills and resolutions he has co-sponsored - a record of achievement that is unsurpassed in the entire Pennsylvania delegation, House and Senate. At home in Pennsylvania, his district office has handled almost 15,000 constituent cases over the past two and a half years - four times the Congressional average - and his staff has helped more than 820 of his constituents avoid foreclosure on their homes.
For
more information visit: http://joesestak.com/
U.S. Congress
Lois Herr
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WELCOME...
Dear Friends and Neighbors
Thank you for visiting our campaign website.
I am Lois Herr. I grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and my family
has roots here going back 10 generations.
I worked for 26 years in the telecommunications industry - at Bell Labs,
AT&T and NYNEX - and have served on numerous corporate, non-profit
and governmental boards. Under President Ford, I worked in the Office
of Management and Budget as part of the President's Executive Inter-exchange
Program.
Since 1993, I have worked for Elizabethtown College in a variety of positions-teacher,
senior-level administrator, and Scholar-in-Residence, and published two
books.
Now is clearly a time when serious people are needed in Congress. An enormous
amount of work must be done to clean up the financial and military disasters
of the Bush era, to put the country on a path toward widely-shared prosperity,
to extend health care to all Americans, to address our energy future and
global warming and to rebuild our stature in the world.
The Republicans in Congress have no new ideas at all. We tried their old
ideas. They proved catastrophic for our people, our economy and our country.
But even with expanded majorities in Congress, we seem to have a hard
time pressing through a truly progressive agenda. I have a simple prescription:
elect more real-world progressives to Congress - people who know how to
solve problems.
Here is my agenda for Congress:
" Affordable health care for every American - no exceptions
" Government and private investment in alternative energy and conservation
- to protect the environment and create jobs
" Bread and butter issues - fair trade, fair taxes, real financial
regulation and the right for workers to organize
" A prompt and responsible end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
as part of restoring America's moral standing in the world
I'm running against one of the worst Republicans in the Congress: Joe
Pitts. He supported every single disastrous and wrong policy during Bush,
and he wishes we could go back to them now. He is an absolutely consistent
opponent of the Obama Administration, and is the long-time chair of the
Republican Values Action Team, which coordinates policy with the religious
Right.
Pitts is in his 38th year as a career politician, spending 24 years in
the PA House before being elected to the US House, where he has been notably
ineffective.
I offer experience solving problems, not creating them, and I will make
PA's 16th District relevant in Congress again. I will work for you.
This is our opportunity to defeat an extreme right-wing incumbent. Our
district deserves better - to be represented by someone with mainstream
values we all share.
With your help, we will beat Joe Pitts this time. We have to.
Please join me by investing your time, money and energy to make this happen.
For more information visit: http://www.herr2010.com/
PA General Assembly
Tom Houghton
After working his way through law school, Tom married his high school sweetheart Danelle and went into private practice. As they were just starting their lives together, they had to grapple with the loss of both of their mothers to cancer. In search of a fresh start, they began exploring the winding roads of Southern Chester County. "The sprawling farms and quiet meadows stole our hearts. We knew we were home." In 1999, the couple settled in London Grove Township and opened up a storefront for his law practice in West Grove. Tom was elected to London Grove's Board of Supervisors in 2001, became Vice-Chair immediately and Chairman of the Board in 2004. Tom was re-elected in November of 2007. Tom was also a four-year member of the Planning Commission, London Grove's representative on the Executive Committee to Penn Dot's Route 41 Commission, and is a long-time Board member of the White Clay Creek Watershed Association. Tom and Danelle have two children, Marley, 10, and Benjamin, 6, and have served for a total of six years as Foster Parents with Chester County's Children & Youth Services.
Tom first ran for State Representative in 2006 against long-time incumbent, Art Hershey. He ran again in 2008 and won. He is a member of four committees. They are:
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Children & Youth
Environmental Resources & Energy
Local Government
He was also recently appointed to the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee by the Speaker of the House.
Tom is a board member, and his family are members of the local YMCA.
For more information visit: www.tomhoughton.org