Michael Diven
Encyclopedia
Michael B. Diven is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 22nd District
. He was defeated in 2006.
Diven is the son of Joey Diven, who Sports Illustrated once called "the world's toughest street fighter." Diven graduated from Duquesne University
in 1993. He then served as a staff assistant to Allegheny County
Commissioner Tom Foerster from 1993 through 1996. In 1997, he was elected to represent 4th district of the Pittsburgh City Council at the age of 27, which made him the youngest person elected to that body at that time.
At various times, he served as a member of the Brookline Area Community Council
, as chairman of the Pittsburgh Public Safety Services committee, and on the board of the Penn State Allegheny County Cooperative Extension. He co-founded the Police and Communities Together (PACT) organization and served as president of the South Pittsburgh Housing Task Force. He served on the board of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority
(Alcosan) until he was removed from the board in 2008 by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
.
Diven won election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
in November 2000, following the resignation of Frank Gigliotti
, who was convicted of soliciting bribes. During his tenure, Diven clashed with Jack Wagner
, Bill DeWeese and the leadership of the House Democratic Caucus, who later backed Richard A. Nerone's unsuccessful primary challenge in 2004.
Citing the primary challenge and frustrated by the leadership's reluctance to pursue some of his agenda, including making health care benefits less expensive for school districts, Diven became a Republican in January 2005. After he switched parties, the Democratic caucus fired his staff and cut the office phone lines. That April, he unsuccessfully ran for the Pennsylvania Senate seat left vacant by Jack Wagner's
2004 election as Pennsylvania Auditor General
, losing to Wagner-ally Wayne Fontana
.
In 2006, Diven was defeated by Jack Wagner's
niece, Chelsa Wagner
. Diven returned to the Democratic party just in time to run for District Justice in Pittsburgh in 2009, where he faced and lost to his former employee and successor in Pittsburgh City Council, Jim Motznik
.
On two separate occasions, Diven was accused and staff members were indicted for forging signatures on nominating petitions.
|+ Pennsylvania Senate, 42nd district
, Special election
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2005
|
| |Wayne Fontana
| align="right" |19,834
| |55.5
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |13,353
| |37.4
|
| |Mark Rauterkus
| align="right" |2,542
| |7.1
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 22nd district
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2006
|
| |Chelsa Wagner
| align="right" |12,207
| |55.3
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |9,849
| |44.7
|
|-
|2004
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |21,481
| |100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2002
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |12,548
| |70.2
|
| |Glenn P. Nagy
| align="right" |5,321
| |29.8
|
|-
|2000
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |15,047
| |78.2
|
| |Harry T. Lewellen
| align="right" |4,196
| |21.8
|
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
for the 22nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 22
The 22nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following areas:* Baldwin Township* Castle Shannon* Pittsburgh ** Ward 18 [PART, Divisions 05 and 07]** Ward 19...
. He was defeated in 2006.
Diven is the son of Joey Diven, who Sports Illustrated once called "the world's toughest street fighter." Diven graduated from Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
in 1993. He then served as a staff assistant 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...
Commissioner Tom Foerster from 1993 through 1996. In 1997, he was elected to represent 4th district of the Pittsburgh City Council at the age of 27, which made him the youngest person elected to that body at that time.
At various times, he served as a member of the Brookline Area Community Council
Brookline (Pittsburgh)
-Early settlement:Brookline was a part of the larger West Liberty Borough before its absorption intoPittsburgh in 1908. Early in its history, the area was mostly inhabited by miners and farmers...
, as chairman of the Pittsburgh Public Safety Services committee, and on the board of the Penn State Allegheny County Cooperative Extension. He co-founded the Police and Communities Together (PACT) organization and served as president of the South Pittsburgh Housing Task Force. He served on the board of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority
Allegheny County Sanitary Authority
Allegheny County Sanitary Authority is a Municipal Authority in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania that provides wastewater treatment services to 83 communities, including the city of Pittsburgh. Its principal sewage treatment plant is along the Ohio River downstream from Pittsburgh...
(Alcosan) until he was removed from the board in 2008 by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Robert Ravenstahl is the current Mayor of Pittsburgh. In September 2006, he became the youngest mayor in Pittsburgh's history at the age of 26. He is among the youngest mayors of a major city in American history....
.
Diven won election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in November 2000, following the resignation of Frank Gigliotti
Frank Gigliotti
Frank J. Gigliotti is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 22nd legislative district. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended South Hills High School and the Carnegie Mellon Managerial School....
, who was convicted of soliciting bribes. During his tenure, Diven clashed with Jack Wagner
Jack Wagner (politician)
Jack E. Wagner is the current auditor general of Pennsylvania. The statewide elected office is charged with serving as the commonwealth’s independent fiscal monitor...
, Bill DeWeese and the leadership of the House Democratic Caucus, who later backed Richard A. Nerone's unsuccessful primary challenge in 2004.
Citing the primary challenge and frustrated by the leadership's reluctance to pursue some of his agenda, including making health care benefits less expensive for school districts, Diven became a Republican in January 2005. After he switched parties, the Democratic caucus fired his staff and cut the office phone lines. That April, he unsuccessfully ran for the Pennsylvania Senate seat left vacant by Jack Wagner's
Jack Wagner (politician)
Jack E. Wagner is the current auditor general of Pennsylvania. The statewide elected office is charged with serving as the commonwealth’s independent fiscal monitor...
2004 election as Pennsylvania Auditor General
Pennsylvania Auditor General
The Pennsylvania Auditor General is the chief fiscal officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1850. The current Auditor General of Pennsylvania is Jack Wagner.- History :...
, losing to Wagner-ally Wayne Fontana
Wayne Fontana (Pennsylvania politician)
Wayne D. Fontana is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 42nd District since 2005.-External links:* official PA Senate website* official senate website* official campaign website* profile...
.
In 2006, Diven was defeated by Jack Wagner's
Jack Wagner (politician)
Jack E. Wagner is the current auditor general of Pennsylvania. The statewide elected office is charged with serving as the commonwealth’s independent fiscal monitor...
niece, Chelsa Wagner
Chelsa Wagner
Chelsa L. Wagner is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 22nd District which includes the South Side and part of the North Side of the city of Pittsburgh, as well as parts of the suburbs of Baldwin, Whitehall and Castle Shannon.Wagner graduated from Seton-La...
. Diven returned to the Democratic party just in time to run for District Justice in Pittsburgh in 2009, where he faced and lost to his former employee and successor in Pittsburgh City Council, Jim Motznik
Jim Motznik
Jim Motznik, a Democrat, was elected to Pittsburgh City Council, District 4, in February 2001, and has since been re-elected twice. He is currently the most tenured elected city official. In early 2009, Motznik stated his desire to not run for another term in City Council and to become a candidate...
.
On two separate occasions, Diven was accused and staff members were indicted for forging signatures on nominating petitions.
Election history
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"|+ Pennsylvania Senate, 42nd district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 42
The 42nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following areas:* Bethel Park ** Ward 03** Ward 05 [PART, Division 03]** Ward 06 [PART, Division 03]** Ward 07...
, Special election
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2005
Pennsylvania 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...
|
| |Wayne Fontana
Wayne Fontana (Pennsylvania politician)
Wayne D. Fontana is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 42nd District since 2005.-External links:* official PA Senate website* official senate website* official campaign website* profile...
| align="right" |19,834
| |55.5
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |13,353
| |37.4
|
| |Mark Rauterkus
| align="right" |2,542
| |7.1
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 22nd district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 22
The 22nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following areas:* Baldwin Township* Castle Shannon* Pittsburgh ** Ward 18 [PART, Divisions 05 and 07]** Ward 19...
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2006
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
|
| |Chelsa Wagner
Chelsa Wagner
Chelsa L. Wagner is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 22nd District which includes the South Side and part of the North Side of the city of Pittsburgh, as well as parts of the suburbs of Baldwin, Whitehall and Castle Shannon.Wagner graduated from Seton-La...
| align="right" |12,207
| |55.3
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |9,849
| |44.7
|
|-
|2004
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2004
The 2004 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 2, 2004, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on April 27, 2004. Necessary primary elections were held on May 21, 2002. The term of office for those elected in 2004 ran from...
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |21,481
| |100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2002
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2002
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 5, 2002, with all districts being contested. State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with the entire House of Representatives up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2002 ran...
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |12,548
| |70.2
|
| |Glenn P. Nagy
| align="right" |5,321
| |29.8
|
|-
|2000
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2000
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2000, with all districts being contested. State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with the entire House of Representatives up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2000 ran...
|
| |Michael Diven
| align="right" |15,047
| |78.2
|
| |Harry T. Lewellen
| align="right" |4,196
| |21.8
|
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Michael Diven official PA House website (archived)
- Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus - Rep. Mike Diven official Party website (archived)