Coy was first elected to represent the 89th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1982.[5] He served as Democratic (Majority) Caucus Chairman from 1993 through 1994 as the majority party.[6] In 1995, he was elected to serve as Democratic (Minority) Caucus Secretary.[6] He was re-elected 11 times in a heavily Republican district.[7]
Coy announced his intention not to seek re-election in early 2004.[8] In August, Coy was nominated by the House Democratic leader Bill DeWeese[9] to become a member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, a controversial nomination because of a provision of the Pennsylvania Constitution prohibiting legislators from serving on such boards "during the time for which he was elected".[8] Senate Republicans interpreted the phrase to mean the entire two-year legislative term, which would expire on November 30, 2004, and suggested that the Democrats appoint a placeholder until the end of the legislative term. Coy's resignation from his seat would satisfy the constitution.[8] Coy resigned his legislative seat effective September 2, 2004 and was appointed to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board effective the next day.[2][10]
^ ab"SESSION OF 2004 - 188TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 53"(PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 2004-09-27. September 2, 2004...I hereby resign as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives effective this date. Sincerely yours, Jeffrey W. Coy
^ ab"Jeffrey W. Coy (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2004-06-14.
^"BIOGRAPHY". Official Pennsylvania Democratic Caucus Biography. Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original on 2004-07-15.
^ ab"Jeffrey W. Coy (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2000-03-09.