Frank Mascara
Encyclopedia
Frank Robert Mascara was a Democratic
politician from Pennsylvania
who served four terms in the United States House of Representatives
from 1995 to 2003. He was the uncle of St. Lucie County, Florida
Sheriff Ken Mascara
.
after World War II
and was an accountant before entering politics. He obtained a B.A.
from California University of Pennsylvania
in 1972.
, near Pittsburgh
, for nearly 20 years. He was elected county controller in 1973 and as County Commissioner in 1979. He served on the Washington County Commission for 15 years, many of them as chairman.
, a 16-year incumbent, in the 20th
Congressional District, which comprised most of the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh. He lost the race by 3,000 votes. When Murphy retired two years later, Mascara handily won the Democratic primary to replace him. Although the 20th was considered the most Democratic district in Pennsylvania outside the districts based in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Mascara earned a narrow victory in the general election against Republican businessman Mike McCormick. Mascara faced the same opponent — and another narrow win — in 1996. However, the district reverted to form afterwards, and Mascara was reelected with little trouble in 1998 and 2000.
-based 12th District, represented by 28-year incumbent Democrat John Murtha
. The newly drawn district was widely criticized, since portions of several neighborhoods were split between two districts. In some cases, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the 12th; in others, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the Pittsburgh-based 14th. In one of the more extreme examples, most of Mascara's hometown, Charleroi
--including most of his neighborhood—was drawn into the 12th. However, a long tendril extending from his house to Allegheny County
remained in the 18th. Mascara opted to run against Murtha in the 12th's Democratic primary, since the redrawn 12th contained more of Mascara's old territory than Murtha's. After a bruising primary filled with negative campaigning by both candidates, Murtha won by a wider than expected margin. The 18th was taken over by Republican State Senator
Tim Murphy
.
In both Washington and his home district, Mascara projected a blue-collar, working class
image. He liked to say frequently, "I don't go to the nightclubs and big restaurants. ... I don't drink
. I don't gamble. I don't whore around."
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from 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...
who served four terms in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1995 to 2003. He was the uncle of St. Lucie County, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
Sheriff Ken Mascara
Ken Mascara
Ken J. Mascara is the Sheriff of St. Lucie County, Florida, United States, and is the elected top official of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, one of the largest law enforcement agencies on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Ken J. Mascara is the nephew of former congressman Frank R...
.
Early life and education
Mascara briefly served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was an accountant before entering politics. He obtained a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
in 1972.
Early political career
Mascara next served as an elected official in Washington CountyWashington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
, near Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, for nearly 20 years. He was elected county controller in 1973 and as County Commissioner in 1979. He served on the Washington County Commission for 15 years, many of them as chairman.
Before 2000 Census
In 1992, Mascara launched a primary challenge to U.S. Congressman Austin MurphyAustin J. Murphy
Austin John Murphy was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1977 to 1995.Born in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Murphy grew up in New London, Connecticut. He later returned to Charleroi and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946. He...
, a 16-year incumbent, in the 20th
Pennsylvania's 20th congressional district
Pennsylvania's twentieth congressional district was a congressional district in southwestern Pennsylvania. It was created following the 1830 Census and was disbanded after the 2000 Census removed two representatives from Pennsylvania...
Congressional District, which comprised most of the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh. He lost the race by 3,000 votes. When Murphy retired two years later, Mascara handily won the Democratic primary to replace him. Although the 20th was considered the most Democratic district in Pennsylvania outside the districts based in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Mascara earned a narrow victory in the general election against Republican businessman Mike McCormick. Mascara faced the same opponent — and another narrow win — in 1996. However, the district reverted to form afterwards, and Mascara was reelected with little trouble in 1998 and 2000.
After 2000 Census
The Republican-controlled state legislature significantly altered Mascara's district. The district was renumbered as the 18th District, and was considerably more affluent than its predecessor. It was also somewhat friendlier to Republicans, even though there were still 70,000 more registered Democrats in the district than Republicans. A large portion of the area Mascara had represented for the past eight years was shifted to the neighboring JohnstownJohnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
-based 12th District, represented by 28-year incumbent Democrat John Murtha
John Murtha
John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010....
. The newly drawn district was widely criticized, since portions of several neighborhoods were split between two districts. In some cases, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the 12th; in others, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the Pittsburgh-based 14th. In one of the more extreme examples, most of Mascara's hometown, Charleroi
Charleroi, Pennsylvania
Charleroi is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, along the Monongahela River, 25 miles south of Pittsburgh. Charleroi was settled in 1890 and incorporated in 1891. The population in 1900 stood at 5,930; in 1910, 9,615; in 1920, 11,516, and in 1940, 10,784...
--including most of his neighborhood—was drawn into the 12th. However, a long tendril extending from his house to Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
remained in the 18th. Mascara opted to run against Murtha in the 12th's Democratic primary, since the redrawn 12th contained more of Mascara's old territory than Murtha's. After a bruising primary filled with negative campaigning by both candidates, Murtha won by a wider than expected margin. The 18th was taken over by Republican State Senator
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...
Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy (congressman)
Timothy "Tim" F. Murphy is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate....
.
Tenure
In Congress, Mascara was a moderate Democrat who opposed abortion and gun control, but whose voting record was otherwise consistent with the Democratic line. He was regarded as a political powerbroker among Democrats with a record of scoring federal money for local projects.In both Washington and his home district, Mascara projected a blue-collar, working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
image. He liked to say frequently, "I don't go to the nightclubs and big restaurants. ... I don't drink
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
. I don't gamble. I don't whore around."
Death
Mascara died of lung cancer on July 10, 2011 at Mon Valley Hospital in Monongahela, PA.Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 95,251 | 53% | Mike McCormick | 84,156 | 47% | * | |||
| 1996 | Frank Mascara | 113,394 | 54% | Mike McCormick | 97,004 | 46% | * | ||
| 1998 | Frank Mascara | 97,885 | 100% | (no candidate) | * | ||||
| 2000 | Frank Mascara | 145,131 | 64% | 80,312 | 36% |
External links
- Congrssman Frank Mascara's webpage archived