Sam Rohrer
Encyclopedia
Samuel E. Rohrer is a Republican
politician and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 128th District
.
, and an alumnus of Tuscarawas Valley High School
. After earning a degree in Business Administration from Bob Jones University
in 1977, he managed a radio station for several years before becoming director of marketing for Graco
, based in Elverson, Pennsylvania
.
in November of 1992, succeeding retiring Republican
Jim Gallen. In the House, he served as the Republican chairman of the Finance Committee, and introduced legislation that would eliminate school property taxes
in Pennsylvania. He was a strong opponent of the REAL ID Act
.
, a former colleague of Rohrer's in the State House, received praise for its innovative and effective use of technology, including social media. Rohrer's primary opponent, State Attorney General
Tom Corbett
, was endorsed by the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
on February 13, 2010, but that endorsement also generated support for Rohrer from members of the Tea Party movement
. Rohrer and his supporters organized a day-long rally entitled "Mobilize for Liberty", which included seminars and a speech from Rohrer, that took place down the hall from the main ballroom in which the State Committee was announcing its endorsement of Corbett. Following its endorsement of Corbett, the State Committee sent-out mailers attacking Rohrer's vote in favor of the 2005 legislative pay raise
, as well as his 2001 vote in favor of a plan to increase lawmaker pensions by upwards of 50 percent.
Ultimately, Corbett defeated Rohrer with approximately 70% of the vote in the Republican primary, which was held on May 18. During the following summer, supporters initiated a write-in campaign for the November election. Rohrer did not endorse nor denounce the ultimately unsuccessful campaign.
. Rohrer resigned from the position in November, in preparation for a run for the United States Senate
.
, who again signed-on to advise Rohrer's campaign, told the Associated Press
that Rohrer was considering a run for the United States Senate
seat currently held by Democrat
Bob Casey Jr., and would likely officially announce his candidacy later in the month. Rohrer officially announced his candidacy at rally near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
on November 21. He also released a web video announcing his enterance to the race.
A poll taken shortly after his entrance into the race found Rohrer ahead of the rest of the primary field, besting his closest competitor by ten percentage points.
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...
politician and former 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 128th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 128
The 128th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Berks County and includes the following areas:* Brecknock Township* Caernarvon Township* Cumru Township* Exeter Township * Mohnton* New Morgan...
.
Early life, education, and radio career
Rohrer is a native of Dover, OhioDover, Ohio
Dover is a city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,210 at the 2000 census.-History and features:Dover was originally part of a grant to Col. James Morrison of Kentucky, who had received it from the federal government for Revolutionary War services...
, and an alumnus of Tuscarawas Valley High School
Tuscarawas Valley High School
Tuscarawas Valley High School is a public high school in Zoarville, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools district. Their nickname is the Trojans...
. After earning a degree in Business Administration from Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a private, for-profit, non-denominational Protestant university in Greenville, South Carolina.The university was founded in 1927 by Bob Jones, Sr. , an evangelist and contemporary of Billy Sunday...
in 1977, he managed a radio station for several years before becoming director of marketing for Graco
Graco (baby products)
Graco is a brand of baby products company owned by Newell Rubbermaid. It was founded in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Russell Gray and Robert Cone as Graco Metal Products, a company that fabricated machine and car parts...
, based in Elverson, Pennsylvania
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Elverson is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2010 census.Settled near the region's early iron mines, Elverson is close to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, an example of a 19th century "iron plantation".-History:Elverson's earliest...
.
Pennsylvania legislature
Rohrer was elected to the State HousePennsylvania 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 of 1992, succeeding retiring Republican
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...
Jim Gallen. In the House, he served as the Republican chairman of the Finance Committee, and introduced legislation that would eliminate school property taxes
Property tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
in Pennsylvania. He was a strong opponent of the REAL ID Act
REAL ID Act
The REAL ID Act of 2005, , was an Act of Congress that modified U.S. federal law pertaining to security, authentication, and issuance procedures standards for the state driver's licenses and identification cards, as well as various immigration issues pertaining to terrorism.The law set forth...
.
2010 gubernatorial campaign
In November 2009, Rohrer announced that he would not seek re-election to the State House, and would instead seek the Republican nomination for governor. His campaign team, which was headed by Jeff ColemanJeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975. In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries...
, a former colleague of Rohrer's in the State House, received praise for its innovative and effective use of technology, including social media. Rohrer's primary opponent, State Attorney General
Pennsylvania Attorney General
The Pennsylvania Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1980. Currently, the office is held by Linda Kelly.- Authority and Responsibilities :...
Tom Corbett
Tom Corbett
Thomas W. Corbett is the 46th and current Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. He is a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania and was elected to that office in 2004 and reelected in 2008...
, was endorsed by the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania is based in Harrisburg in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the Republican Party of the United States.-Founding:...
on February 13, 2010, but that endorsement also generated support for Rohrer from members of the Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
. Rohrer and his supporters organized a day-long rally entitled "Mobilize for Liberty", which included seminars and a speech from Rohrer, that took place down the hall from the main ballroom in which the State Committee was announcing its endorsement of Corbett. Following its endorsement of Corbett, the State Committee sent-out mailers attacking Rohrer's vote in favor of 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...
, as well as his 2001 vote in favor of a plan to increase lawmaker pensions by upwards of 50 percent.
Ultimately, Corbett defeated Rohrer with approximately 70% of the vote in the Republican primary, which was held on May 18. During the following summer, supporters initiated a write-in campaign for the November election. Rohrer did not endorse nor denounce the ultimately unsuccessful campaign.
Between campaigns
In February 2011 Rohrer became Pennsylvania state director for Americans for ProsperityAmericans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
. Rohrer resigned from the position in November, in preparation for a run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
2012 U.S. Senate election
On Friday, November 4, 2011, Jeff ColemanJeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975. In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries...
, who again signed-on to advise Rohrer's campaign, told the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
that Rohrer was considering a run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat currently held by Democrat
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...
Bob Casey Jr., and would likely officially announce his candidacy later in the month. Rohrer officially announced his candidacy at rally near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
on November 21. He also released a web video announcing his enterance to the race.
A poll taken shortly after his entrance into the race found Rohrer ahead of the rest of the primary field, besting his closest competitor by ten percentage points.
External links
- Sam Rohrer for U.S. Senate official senatorial campaign website