John Gordner

John Gordner
John Gordner
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate; from the 27th district
	In office; November 24, 2003 – November 30, 2022
Preceded by	Edward Helfrick
Succeeded by	Lynda Schlegel Culver
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; from the 109th district
	In office; January 5, 1993 – November 24, 2003
Preceded by	Ted Stuban
Succeeded by	David R. Millard
Personal details
Born	January 5, 1962 (age 62); Berwick, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican (2001–present); Democratic (before 2001);
Spouse	Lori
Education	Dickinson College (B.A.); Dickinson School of Law (JD)
Alma mater	Berwick Area High School

John R. Gordner (born January 5, 1962) is an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he represented the 27th District in the Pennsylvania State Senate (2003–2022) and the 109th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1993–2003). He is a former Democrat, having switched parties in 2001.^[5]

Early life and education

Gordner was born on January 5, 1962, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, the son of Carl L. and Shirley Gordner. He graduated from Berwick Area High School in 1979. Gordner earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College in 1983 and a Juris Doctor degree from Dickinson School of Law in 1987.^[6]

Political career

Gordner was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1992 and served 11 years in that body.^[7]^[8]

In 2001, Gordner changed political parties from Democrat to Republican.^[5]

In 2003, he won a special election to represent Pennsylvania's 27th Senate District, replacing Ed Helfrick, who abruptly retired from the Senate earlier that year.^[9]^[10]

In 2022, Gordner resigned from the State Senate to become counsel to incoming President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Kim Ward.^[11]

Personal life

Gordner is married to his wife, Lori. They have two children.^[6]

References

^ "Senator John Gordner Announces Resignation from Senate" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania Senate. 2003-11-24.
^ Ulrich, Steve (November 28, 2022). "State Senator John Gordner Resigns". PoliticsPA.
^ "SESSION OF 1993 - 177TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 1993-01-05.
^ "SESSION OF 2003 187TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 96" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal—House. November 24, 2003. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ ^a ^b Bull, John (2 October 2001). "State House's Gordner switches to GOP". Post Gazette. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
^ ^a ^b "John R. Gordner". Pennsylvania State Senate. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
^ "John R. Gordner (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2001-08-03.
^ "John R. Gordner (Republican)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2001-08-03.
^ "The winner is ... not us". The Daily Item. 2 November 2003.
^ "2003 Special Election 27th Senatorial District". Department of State. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
^ Murphy, Jan (November 28, 2022). "State lawmaker resigns to take a new role in the Pa. Senate". PennLive Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2022.