Jennifer O'Mara
Jennifer O'Mara | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 165th district | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Alex Charlton |
Personal details | |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | November 12, 1989
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Bradford Bitting (m. 2017) |
Residence | Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania |
Alma mater | West Chester University University of Pennsylvania |
Occupation | Educator, Nonprofit Administrator |
Website | Official Website Campaign Website |
Jennifer O’Mara (born Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 165th Legislative District. The district includes parts of Springfield Township, Marple Township, Radnor Township and the borough of Morton.[1]
November 12, 1989) is aEarly life and education[]
The oldest of three children, O’Mara was born in Southwest Philadelphia. She moved to Delaware County with her mother and siblings after her father, a Philadelphia firefighter, died by gun suicide. O’Mara cites the importance of her father's pension and public program such as CHIP in supporting her family while she was a teenager. She graduated from the Interboro High School in 2007 and became the first in her family to attend college.[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a certificate in Secondary Education from West Chester University in 2011. She received a Master’s degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017.[3]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives[]
Elections[]
2018[]
On November 19, 2017[4] The district had never elected a Democratic representative before, and had previously been represented by one-term Republican Alex Charlton.
, O'Mara launched her campaign for the 165th District.O'Mara was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Charlton defeated primary challenger Regina Scheerer with 65.72% of the Republican vote.[5] O'Mara upset Charlton in the 2018 general election, becoming the first Democrat and first woman to represent the district.[6]
2020[]
O'Mara ran for re-election in 2020.[7] She was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced Republican Robert Smythe Jr. in the general election. O'Mara retained her seat by defeating Smythe with 51.51% of the vote.[8]
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jennifer O'Mara | 16,627 | 50.81% | |
Republican | Alex Charlton (incumbent) | 16,096 | 49.19% | |
Total votes | 32,723 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jennifer O'Mara (incumbent) | 21,529 | 51.51% | |
Republican | Robert Smythe Jr | 20,222 | 48.38% | |
Write-in | 43 | 0.10% | ||
Total votes | 41,794 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic hold |
Tenure[]
O'Mara was sworn in on January 1, 2019, and was elected first vice-chair for the Democratic Caucus's Southeast delegation.[11]
Committee assignments[]
- Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
- Transportation
- Aging and Older Adult Services
References[]
- ^ Carey, Kathleen. "Springfield woman plans run against Charlton in 165th". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ Bunch, Will. "Changing Trump's America starts with house-to-house combat to change Harrisburg, Jennifer O'Mara". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ Curtis, Lucy. "Penn grad Jennifer O'Mara joins record number of women running for office in 2018". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ Carey, Kathleen (19 November 2017). "Springfield woman plans run against Charlton in 165th". Delaware County News Network. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "2018 Primary Election Returns". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Carey, Kathleen (7 November 2018). "Dem O'Mara edges incumbent Charlton in 165th". Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Max (2020-03-10). "Jennifer O'Mara Seeking To Keep 165th District Seat". Springfield, PA Patch. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ Rose, Alex (2020-11-04). "UPDATE: Results posted in state House races". The Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "2018 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "2020 Election Results". Delaware County, Pennsylvania. November 24, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "O'Mara elected to serve in key leadership roles on powerful PA House delegation". PA House Democrats. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
External links[]
- Living people
- People from Delaware County, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Democrats
- Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Women in Pennsylvania politics
- Women state legislators in Pennsylvania
- 21st-century American politicians
- West Chester University alumni
- 1989 births
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Pennsylvania State House of Representatives stubs