Mike Folmer
Encyclopedia
Mike Folmer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania
is a Pennsylvania
State Senator who represents the 48th Senate district, which includes all of Lebanon County
and portions of Berks
, Chester
, Dauphin
and Lancaster Counties
. He is a member of the Republican Party
.
Helping in the family business, the Folmer Fruit Company of Lebanon, Mike learned early on the value of hard work as well as prudent business skills.
After graduating from Lebanon Senior High School in 1974 (he lettered in track for three years in a row), Mike attended Grace College (Indiana) where he majored in History and participated in a variety of service projects in the community including prison and youth ministries. Mike married his wife, Sheila, and witnessed the birth of his first child while he completed coursework at Grace College.
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with a minor in Biblical Studies and Philosophy, in 1978 and returned to the Lebanon Valley where he resumed work with family business.
In 1986, he agreed to run for Lebanon City Council as the Democrat candidate, and despite warnings from various political “experts” that he did not have a chance to win, his hard work and perseverance (he personally registered over 1,000 new voters) paid off and he not only won his race but received the highest plurality of votes in a municipal election (even the leadership of the county Republican Party and the state senator paid their respects in a personal visit to Mike at his victory rally).
While on City Council Mike served as the Director of Public Safety, which included managing and enforcing the municipal codes. Mike trained with the city’s volunteer firemen (1986 certification) and completed a course of fire service cost efficiency hosted by the state Department of Community Affairs (1987 certification). Mike formulated and introduced a plan that would have saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in costs while at the same time expanding fire protection services for the city.
Fulfilling a term limits pledge, Mike left public service and spent several years in different career and entrepreneurial pursuits, from acting as an independent produce broker to serving as a personal financial consultant.
Mike turned his passion for people into a vocation when began working sales for tire manufacturers and wholesalers, and is currently employed with a local firm and is their top sales person.
A member of the Church of the Servant (Presbyterian Church in America), Mike has been serving as a Sunday School teacher for children ages 6 through 10.
In 2005, Mike and other local concerned citizens organized the Constitutional Organization Of Lebanon (COOL) to help re-introduce to members and the community at large the fundamental principles which led to the creation of the US Constitution.
Mike currently lives in the family home in which he was born and raised, and has the pleasure of enjoying the company of both his children and grand-children, all of whom live in Lebanon.
, Folmer, who was known through his campaign as "Citizen Mike", was one of several challengers whose campaigns were sparked by the 2005 legislative pay raise
. Folmer's district was represented by David Brightbill, the Senate majority leader. Brightbill, along with Senate President pro tempore Robert Jubelirer
took much of the criticism for the pay raise and were targeted by activists seeking to vote out legislators who supported it.
His campaign's largest contributor was Bob Guzzardi
, however most of his funding came from small donations of individuals within his district.
On election day, Folmer overcame Brightbill's 20-1 fundraising advantage of a million dollars to fifty thousand and won with over 63% of the vote. Folmer went on to defeat Democrat John Liss in the general election with over 63% of the vote.
, Mike Folmer was challenged by Democrat Jo Ellen Litz, one of Lebanon County's three County Commissioners. He was re-elected with over 72% of the vote.
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,477 at the 2010 census, a 4.2% increase from the 2000 count of 24,461...
is a 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...
State Senator who represents the 48th Senate district, which includes all of Lebanon County
Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 120,327 people and 32,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 332 people per square mile . There were 49,320 housing units at an average density of 136 per square mile...
and portions of Berks
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, Chester
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, Dauphin
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital...
and Lancaster Counties
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
. 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...
.
Biography
Mike Folmer was born and raised in the city of Lebanon, from a family line that has lived in the Lebanon Valley since the American Revolution.Helping in the family business, the Folmer Fruit Company of Lebanon, Mike learned early on the value of hard work as well as prudent business skills.
After graduating from Lebanon Senior High School in 1974 (he lettered in track for three years in a row), Mike attended Grace College (Indiana) where he majored in History and participated in a variety of service projects in the community including prison and youth ministries. Mike married his wife, Sheila, and witnessed the birth of his first child while he completed coursework at Grace College.
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with a minor in Biblical Studies and Philosophy, in 1978 and returned to the Lebanon Valley where he resumed work with family business.
In 1986, he agreed to run for Lebanon City Council as the Democrat candidate, and despite warnings from various political “experts” that he did not have a chance to win, his hard work and perseverance (he personally registered over 1,000 new voters) paid off and he not only won his race but received the highest plurality of votes in a municipal election (even the leadership of the county Republican Party and the state senator paid their respects in a personal visit to Mike at his victory rally).
While on City Council Mike served as the Director of Public Safety, which included managing and enforcing the municipal codes. Mike trained with the city’s volunteer firemen (1986 certification) and completed a course of fire service cost efficiency hosted by the state Department of Community Affairs (1987 certification). Mike formulated and introduced a plan that would have saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in costs while at the same time expanding fire protection services for the city.
Fulfilling a term limits pledge, Mike left public service and spent several years in different career and entrepreneurial pursuits, from acting as an independent produce broker to serving as a personal financial consultant.
Mike turned his passion for people into a vocation when began working sales for tire manufacturers and wholesalers, and is currently employed with a local firm and is their top sales person.
A member of the Church of the Servant (Presbyterian Church in America), Mike has been serving as a Sunday School teacher for children ages 6 through 10.
In 2005, Mike and other local concerned citizens organized the Constitutional Organization Of Lebanon (COOL) to help re-introduce to members and the community at large the fundamental principles which led to the creation of the US Constitution.
Mike currently lives in the family home in which he was born and raised, and has the pleasure of enjoying the company of both his children and grand-children, all of whom live in Lebanon.
2006 Election
In 2006Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 7, 2006, with even-numbered districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. State Senators are elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate seats up for a vote every two years...
, Folmer, who was known through his campaign as "Citizen Mike", was one of several challengers whose campaigns were sparked by the 2005 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...
. Folmer's district was represented by David Brightbill, the Senate majority leader. Brightbill, along with Senate President pro tempore 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...
took much of the criticism for the pay raise and were targeted by activists seeking to vote out legislators who supported it.
His campaign's largest contributor was Bob Guzzardi
Bob Guzzardi
Bob Guzzardi is an attorney, real estate developer, conservative financier, and political activist. He is best known for his efforts to elect "reform Republican" candidates to the Pennsylvania General Assembly after the 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy.-Personal life and...
, however most of his funding came from small donations of individuals within his district.
On election day, Folmer overcame Brightbill's 20-1 fundraising advantage of a million dollars to fifty thousand and won with over 63% of the vote. Folmer went on to defeat Democrat John Liss in the general election with over 63% of the vote.
2010 Election
In the 2010 electionPennsylvania Senate elections, 2010
The 2010 elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 2, 2010, with the even-numbered districts contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 18, 2010. The term of office for those elected in 2010 run from January 4, 2011 until November 30, 2014...
, Mike Folmer was challenged by Democrat Jo Ellen Litz, one of Lebanon County's three County Commissioners. He was re-elected with over 72% of the vote.
External links
- State Senator Mike Folmer official PA Senate website
- Citizen Mike official campaign website