Andy Dinniman

Andy Dinniman
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 19th district
Assumed office
June 19, 2006
Preceded by Bob Thompson
Member of the Chester County
Board of Commissioners
In office
January 7, 1992  June 19, 2006
Preceded by Patricia Moran Baldwin
Succeeded by Kathi Cozzone
Member of the
Downingtown School Board
In office
December 1, 1975  December 3, 1979
Personal details
Born 1944/1945 (age 71–72)[1]
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Margo
Residence West Whiteland Township
Alma mater University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, Pennsylvania State University
Profession University Professor
Website Pennsylvania State Senator Andrew Dinniman

Andrew E. "Andy" Dinniman is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 19th District since June 2006.

Education and early life

Dinniman was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He received his BA from the University of Connecticut in 1966, and his MA from the University of Maryland in 1969. He also holds an Ed.D from Pennsylvania State University.[2]

Early political career

Dinniman's first elected position was as a member of Downingtown school district's board of school directors. He was first elected to this position in 1975, and held the post until 1979. In 1979, Dinniman was elected chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee, a position he held until 1985.[2]

County Commissioner

Dinniman later served as Chester County commissioner for three terms, beginning in 1991. During his three terms as commissioner, Dinniman was the body's only Democrat. After the death of Republican Senator Robert "Bob" Thompson in 2006, Dinniman sought and attained his party's nomination to run in the ensuing special election.

State Senate Service

2006 special election

The special election pit Dinniman against his fellow county commissioner, Republican Carol Aichele. In what was considered a political surprise, Dinniman won with 56% of the vote, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent Chester County in the state Senate since the 1920s.[3]

Pennsylvania Senate, District 19: May 2006 Special Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Andy Dinniman 21,614 56.2 +56.2
Republican Carol Aichele 16,822 43.8 -56.2
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

2008 election

Dinniman faced re-election in 2008. He handily defeated Republican Steve Kantrowitz, a retired U.S. Navy Admiral,[5] with 57.8% of the vote.

Pennsylvania Senate, District 19: November 2008 General Election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Andy Dinniman 84,846 57.8 +1.6
Republican Steve Kantrowitz 62,026 42.2 -1.6
Democratic hold Swing

2012 election

Dinniman faced re-election in 2012. He handily defeated Chris Amentas, an East Fallowfield Township supervisor, with 57.45% of the vote.

Pennsylvania Senate, District 19: November 2012 General Election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Andy Dinniman 83,589 57.45 -0.35
Republican Chris Amentas 61,914 42.55 +0.35
Democratic hold Swing

Committee Assignments

Dinniman currently sits on five committees: Education; Communications and Technology; Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Environmental Resources and Energy; and State Government. He is the ranking Democrat on the Senate's education committee.[2]

Potential congressional candidacy

In 2009, the non-partisan political newspaper The Hill reported that Dinniman was "reportedly eyeing a run" for the Democratic nomination in the congressional seat being vacated by Republican Jim Gerlach, who was, at the time, running for governor.[8] Dinniman, however, ultimately did not enter the race.[9] He endorsed Manan Trivedi, a doctor from Reading, who went on to win the Democratic primary, but lose the fall general election to Ryan Costello.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Senator Andrew 'Andy' E. Dinniman". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  2. Petersen, Nancy (May 18, 2011). "Chesco Senate Election Surprise". The Daily Local News. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  3. "2006 Special Election for the 19th Senatorial District". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004.
  4. "State endorsements: Fuhs, Dinniman, Quigley get the nod". The Mercury. October 29, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  5. "2008 General Election". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2008.
  6. "2012 General Election". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2008.
  7. Jacobs, Jeremy P. (July 15, 2009). "Republicans could find it hard to hold on to Pennsylvania Rep. Gerlach's seat". The Hill. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  8. Kristie, Dan (August 17, 2009). "Dinniman not running for Congress". The Daily Local News. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
  9. Kristie, Dan (November 6, 2009). "Dinniman endorses Trivedi for 6th District". The Daily Local News. Retrieved November 27, 2011.

External links

Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Bob Thompson
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 19th District
2006 present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Patricia Moran Baldwin
Member of the Chester County Board of Commissioners
1992–2006
Succeeded by
Kathi Cozzone
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