Judy Schwank

Judy Schwank
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Pennsylvania State Senate District 11
Incumbent
In office
2011-Present
Term ends
November 30, 2012
Years in position	2
Party	Democratic
Compensation
Base salary	$79,613/year
Per diem	No per diem
Elections and appointments
First elected	March 15, 2011
Next election	November 6, 2012
Term limits	N/A
Education
Master's	Penn State University, 1982
Websites
Office website

Judy Schwank is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate representing, District 11. She was elected in a special election on March 15, 2011. Schwank filled the vacancy created when Michael O'Pake (D) passed away due to complications arising from a heart bypass operation.

Schwank is a former Berks County Commissioner and current Dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley College. She has also worked as director of the Berks County Cooperative Extension Program and President of 10,000 Friends, promoting sustainability and agriculture. Schwank also serves as a member of the Girl Scouts of Southeast PA Board of Directors and as chair the Pennsylvania State Planning Board. She earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in agricultural education from Pennsylvania State University. Judy is married to her husband Jim. They have three children.

In June 2011, Governing Magazine named Schwank one of 12 "Democratic Legislators to Watch." Each of the legislators was selected on the basis of qualities such as leadership, ambition, and political potential.

Campaign themes

2011

Schwank's 2011 special election campaign site emphasized several policy positions and campaign themes:

• Jobs: "Working with business and community leaders, she was instrumental in the development of the Berks Economic Partnership, which has created or retained over 6,000 jobs in Berks County."

• Lower Property Taxes: "She knows that we must find a better way to fund government and education than by relying on our property taxes."

• Cutting Red Tape: "She understands that reform in Harrisburg will revive and strengthen Pennsylvania's economy."

• Experience: "She worked with Senator O'Pake to protect our Berks County values and way of life."

• Agriculture: "She led the efforts to protect Berks County's agricultural base and increase the economic viability of our farms."

• Community: "She has served Berks County in the public and non-profit sectors her entire career, working to create good-paying, permanent jobs right here."

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Schwank has been appointed to these committees:

• Aging & Youth
• Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Chair
• Intergovernmental Operations
• Local Government
• Public Health & Welfare

Elections

2012

See also: Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2012

Schwank is running in the 2012 election for Pennsylvania Senate District 11. Schwank ran unchallenged in the April 24 primary and is unopposed in the general election which takes place on November 6, 2012.

2011

See also: State legislative special elections, 2011

Schwank defeated Larry Medaglia (R) in the March 15, 2011 special election.

External links

Suggest a link

• Campaign site
• Facebook page
• The Reading Eagle, "Where they stand," February 2, 2011

References

Political offices
Preceded by Michael O'Pake	Pennsylvania State Senate District 11 1973–present	Succeeded by NA

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