Robert D. Robbins
Encyclopedia
Robert D. "Bob" Robbins is a Republican
member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
, representing the 50th District
since 1990. He previously served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 17th District
from 1983 to 1990.
. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and subsequently entered the United States Military Academy at West Point
with the Class of 1966. After graduation from West Point, Robbins was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and served two tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper, eventually serving as Company Commander with D Company, 501st Airborne Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
. He left the Army in 1971 with an honorable discharge at the rank of captain.
With his Army service complete, Robbins earned his teaching certificate from Geneva College
in 1973 and then returned to Greenville, where he became a teacher and wrestling coach at Greenville High School. Robbins also worked as an insurance agent for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
to a Mercer County-based seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and subsequently served four terms in the body.
In 1990, Robbins ran for State Senate in the 50th Senate District to replace fellow Republican Roy Wilt, who was retiring. Despite the district's conservative character, Robbins faced a strong challenge from businessmen and Meadville
city Councilman Charles W. Flynn
, who hoped to ride the coattails of popular Governor Bob Casey to victory. However, despite Casey's overwhelming victory over state Auditor General Barbara Hafer
, Robbins prevailed, and has faced little serious opposition since.
Robbins rose through the ranks of Senate Republicans to become Majority Caucus Secretary. In 2006, he was one of the only members of the Senate leadership to be re-elected after voter anger at the 2005 legislative pay raise
knocked out several members of the leadership, including Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer
and Senate Majority Leader David J. Brightbill
.
Robbins currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, and also serves as Chairman of the bipartisan Local Government Commission, Vice Chairman of the Athletic Oversight Committee, and a member of the Keystone State Games Commission.
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...
member 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...
, representing the 50th District
Pennsylvania Senate, District 50
Pennsylvania's 50th Senatorial district includes parts of Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, and Mercer CountiesAll of Crawford CountyAll of Mercer CountyButler County* Lancaster Township* Worth TownshipLawrence County* Hickory Township* Neshannock Township...
since 1990. He previously served as a member of 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....
for the 17th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 17
The 17th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is made up of parts of Crawford County, Lawrence County and Mercer County. The district includes the following areas:* Crawford County** Cochranton** East Fallowfield Township** Fairfield Township...
from 1983 to 1990.
Education and early career
Robbins was born and raised in the northwestern Pennsylvania borough of GreenvilleGreenville, Pennsylvania
Greenville is a borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Located along the Shenango River, Greenville is roughly 80 miles from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Greenville is part of the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 570,000 people...
. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and subsequently entered the United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
with the Class of 1966. After graduation from West Point, Robbins was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and served two tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper, eventually serving as Company Commander with D Company, 501st Airborne Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
. He left the Army in 1971 with an honorable discharge at the rank of captain.
With his Army service complete, Robbins earned his teaching certificate from Geneva College
Geneva College
Geneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States, north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848, in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880, where it continues to educate a student body of about 1400 traditional undergraduates in...
in 1973 and then returned to Greenville, where he became a teacher and wrestling coach at Greenville High School. Robbins also worked as an insurance agent for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Public service
In 1982, Robbins won election as a RepublicanRepublican 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...
to a Mercer County-based seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and subsequently served four terms in the body.
In 1990, Robbins ran for State Senate in the 50th Senate District to replace fellow Republican Roy Wilt, who was retiring. Despite the district's conservative character, Robbins faced a strong challenge from businessmen and Meadville
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
city Councilman Charles W. Flynn
Charles W. Flynn
Charles Winslow Flynn is executive director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area in Yuma, Arizona. In this capacity, Flynn oversees environmental restoration, economic revitalization of Yuma’s Colorado River waterfront, and preservation of cultural and natural resources in the Yuma area.-...
, who hoped to ride the coattails of popular Governor Bob Casey to victory. However, despite Casey's overwhelming victory over state Auditor General Barbara Hafer
Barbara Hafer
Barbara Hafer is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.-Early political career:...
, Robbins prevailed, and has faced little serious opposition since.
Robbins rose through the ranks of Senate Republicans to become Majority Caucus Secretary. In 2006, he was one of the only members of the Senate leadership to be re-elected after voter anger at 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...
knocked out several members of the leadership, including 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...
and Senate Majority Leader David J. Brightbill
David J. Brightbill
David J. "Chip" Brightbill is a former member and Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate. He is a member of the Republican PartyHe was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Jonathan and Verda Brightbill and attended Pennsylvania Military College for two years before graduating from...
.
Robbins currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, and also serves as Chairman of the bipartisan Local Government Commission, Vice Chairman of the Athletic Oversight Committee, and a member of the Keystone State Games Commission.
External links
- Pennsylvania State Senate profile
- Senator Robbins official caucus website
- Robbins for Senate official campaign website