Joe Scarnati
Encyclopedia
Joseph B. Scarnati is an American politician from the U.S. State of Pennsylvania
. He is a member of the Republican Party
and is currently the President pro tempore
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
, a borough located in Jefferson County
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Development Council.
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
, victims of the legislative pay raise
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
and Jeffrey Piccola
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
Joseph B. Scarnati (born January 2, 1962) is an American politician from the U.S. State of Pennsylvania
. He is a member of the Republican Party
and is currently the President pro tempore
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
, a borough located in Jefferson County
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Development Council.
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
, victims of the legislative pay raise
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
and Jeffrey Piccola
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
Joseph B. Scarnati (born January 2, 1962) is an American politician from the U.S. State of Pennsylvania
. He is a member of the Republican Party
and is currently the President pro tempore
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
, a borough located in Jefferson County
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Development Council.
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
, victims of the legislative pay raise
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
and Jeffrey Piccola
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
.
Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and is currently the President pro tempore
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
The President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate is a constitutionally-created office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
Pennsylvania Senate, District 25
Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial district is one of the districts for the Pennsylvania State Senate.-Boundaries:The 25th Pennsylvania Senatorial district includes the entirety of the following counties:*Cameron*Elk*Jefferson*McKean*Potter*Tioga....
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
.
Personal
Scarnati was born and raised in Brockway, PennsylvaniaBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
, a borough located in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It is located in DuBois, Pennsylvania.The school was originally founded as a satellite learning center in 1935 and featured four faculty and was housed in a renovated church. During the 1940s, standard ungraduate...
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
Political career
Prior to his senate election, Scarnati served on both the Brockway Borough CouncilBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
Development Council.
State Senate service
In 2000, State Sen. William Slocum was convicted of illegal dumping and resigned his seat. Scarnati ran for the seatPennsylvania Senate elections, 2000
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 7, 2000, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2000 ran from January 3, 2001...
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2004
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 2, 2004, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2004 will run from January 4,...
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2008
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with odd-numbered districts being contested. Republicans had a net gain of 1 seat for the 2008 elections, expanding their majority to 30-20. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up...
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
Robert Jubelirer
Robert C. Jubelirer is a Republican Pennsylvania political leader. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1975 to 2006, and simultaneously served as the President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania State Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania between 2001 and...
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, victims of the legislative pay raise
2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy
In the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers, judges, and top executive-branch officials. The vote took place at 2 a.m. without public review or commentary and Governor Ed Rendell signed the bill into law...
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart J. Greenleaf is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 12th District since 1979. His district includes portions of Montgomery and Bucks Counties.-Biography:...
and Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey E. Piccola is member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 15th State Senate District. He is in the Republican Party.Piccola is a 1970 graduate of Gettysburg College, and a 1973 graduate of George Washington University Law School. From 1973 to 1974, he served in the United...
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
.
Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
External links
- State Senator Joe Scarnati official caucus website
- Joe Scarnati (R) official PA Senate website
Joseph B. Scarnati (born January 2, 1962) is an American politician from the U.S. State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and is currently the President pro tempore
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
The President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate is a constitutionally-created office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
Pennsylvania Senate, District 25
Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial district is one of the districts for the Pennsylvania State Senate.-Boundaries:The 25th Pennsylvania Senatorial district includes the entirety of the following counties:*Cameron*Elk*Jefferson*McKean*Potter*Tioga....
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
.
Personal
Scarnati was born and raised in Brockway, PennsylvaniaBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
, a borough located in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It is located in DuBois, Pennsylvania.The school was originally founded as a satellite learning center in 1935 and featured four faculty and was housed in a renovated church. During the 1940s, standard ungraduate...
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
Political career
Prior to his senate election, Scarnati served on both the Brockway Borough CouncilBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
Development Council.
State Senate service
In 2000, State Sen. William Slocum was convicted of illegal dumping and resigned his seat. Scarnati ran for the seatPennsylvania Senate elections, 2000
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 7, 2000, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2000 ran from January 3, 2001...
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2004
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 2, 2004, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2004 will run from January 4,...
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2008
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with odd-numbered districts being contested. Republicans had a net gain of 1 seat for the 2008 elections, expanding their majority to 30-20. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up...
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
Robert Jubelirer
Robert C. Jubelirer is a Republican Pennsylvania political leader. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1975 to 2006, and simultaneously served as the President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania State Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania between 2001 and...
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, victims of the legislative pay raise
2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy
In the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers, judges, and top executive-branch officials. The vote took place at 2 a.m. without public review or commentary and Governor Ed Rendell signed the bill into law...
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart J. Greenleaf is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 12th District since 1979. His district includes portions of Montgomery and Bucks Counties.-Biography:...
and Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey E. Piccola is member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 15th State Senate District. He is in the Republican Party.Piccola is a 1970 graduate of Gettysburg College, and a 1973 graduate of George Washington University Law School. From 1973 to 1974, he served in the United...
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
.
Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
External links
- State Senator Joe Scarnati official caucus website
- Joe Scarnati (R) official PA Senate website
Joseph B. Scarnati (born January 2, 1962) is an American politician from the U.S. State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and is currently the President pro tempore
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
The President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate is a constitutionally-created office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
. Scarnati is in his third term as Senator from the 25th District
Pennsylvania Senate, District 25
Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial district is one of the districts for the Pennsylvania State Senate.-Boundaries:The 25th Pennsylvania Senatorial district includes the entirety of the following counties:*Cameron*Elk*Jefferson*McKean*Potter*Tioga....
.
As President Pro Tempore, he assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008. He was officially sworn in on December 3, 2008. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
.
Personal
Scarnati was born and raised in Brockway, PennsylvaniaBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
, a borough located in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
. He graduated from Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois
Penn State DuBois is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It is located in DuBois, Pennsylvania.The school was originally founded as a satellite learning center in 1935 and featured four faculty and was housed in a renovated church. During the 1940s, standard ungraduate...
with a A.A. in Business Administration in 1982.
Political career
Prior to his senate election, Scarnati served on both the Brockway Borough CouncilBrockway, Pennsylvania
Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at ....
(1986–1994) and the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
Development Council.
State Senate service
In 2000, State Sen. William Slocum was convicted of illegal dumping and resigned his seat. Scarnati ran for the seatPennsylvania Senate elections, 2000
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 7, 2000, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2000 ran from January 3, 2001...
as an independent against Slocum, who was attempting a comeback in the special election to replace him. Scarnati prevailed in a three-way race and switched to the Republican party after his election.
Scarnati ran with no Democratic opposition in his first re-election campaign
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2004
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 2, 2004, with even-numbered districts being contested. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2004 will run from January 4,...
, taking 89.5% of the vote over a candidate from the Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
. He won re-election to a third term in 2008
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2008
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with odd-numbered districts being contested. Republicans had a net gain of 1 seat for the 2008 elections, expanding their majority to 30-20. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up...
.
For two years Scarnati served as Chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, Majority Deputy Whip, and in February 2006 was appointed Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.
In May 2006, Robert Jubelirer
Robert Jubelirer
Robert C. Jubelirer is a Republican Pennsylvania political leader. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1975 to 2006, and simultaneously served as the President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania State Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania between 2001 and...
and David Brightbill, the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, victims of the legislative pay raise
2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy
In the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers, judges, and top executive-branch officials. The vote took place at 2 a.m. without public review or commentary and Governor Ed Rendell signed the bill into law...
fallout. Scarnati narrowly won the race to replace Jubelirer against veteran lawmakers Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart Greenleaf
Stewart J. Greenleaf is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 12th District since 1979. His district includes portions of Montgomery and Bucks Counties.-Biography:...
and Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey Piccola
Jeffrey E. Piccola is member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 15th State Senate District. He is in the Republican Party.Piccola is a 1970 graduate of Gettysburg College, and a 1973 graduate of George Washington University Law School. From 1973 to 1974, he served in the United...
.
Upon the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.-Background:...
on November 12, 2008, Scarnati assumed the position of Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
. He served as acting Lieutenant Governor until he was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, as Pennsylvania's 31st Lt. Governor. He did not seek election to the post in 2010
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor election, 2010
The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only...
, and was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by Jim Cawley
Jim Cawley
James "Jim" Cawley is the 32nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.-Political career:He was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Mike Fitzpatrick and was elected to a full term in 2007, when he became chairman of the board...
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Scarnati played a lead role in representing Republicans during Pennsylvania's 2009 budget impasse, and harshly criticized Governor Rendell's leadership style and priorities He was seen as "the de-facto opposition leader to Rendell."
External links
- State Senator Joe Scarnati official caucus website
- Joe Scarnati (R) official PA Senate website