Jeff Coleman (born July 4, 1975) is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Jeff Coleman | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 60th district | |
In office January 2, 2001[1] – November 30, 2004[2] | |
Preceded by | Timothy Pesci |
Succeeded by | Jeffrey Pyle |
Personal details | |
Born | Whidbey Island Naval Base | July 4, 1975
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Rebecca[citation needed] |
Children | 4 |
Residence | Hershey, Pennsylvania |
Alma mater | Liberty University (BS) |
Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975.[3] In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries.[3] It was during that time that the Philippines experienced the People Power Revolution, which Coleman credits for inspiring his "passion for public service."[3] He graduated from Orchard Hills Christian Academy in 1994.[4] He attended Liberty University, earning his degree in Government in 2001.[4] Prior to elective office, Coleman worked in a grocery store, waited tables, and was as radio news anchor in college.[3] He also worked as an intern for Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and was elected to Apollo Borough Council.[3][5]
In the 2000 election for the 60th legislative district, the 25-year-old Coleman defeated long-time Democratic incumbent Tim Pesci in spite of the district being 70% Democratic.[6][7][8] Coleman's under-funded campaign relied on an aggressive "door-to-door" campaign with hundreds of campaign volunteers.[3] Bill DeWeese, the House Democratic Leader, said that Pesci had run a "condescending" race against Coleman, calling his opponent "Jeffy" and describing Coleman's campaign volunteers as "the Children from the Corn," referring to the horror film.[7][9] He ran unopposed for reelection in 2002.[10]
In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, he was named the "Most Ambitious"[11]
Coleman surprised political observers by retiring prior to the 2004 elections to host a Harrisburg-based political radio program.[12] In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania, noting his success as a political consultant.[13]
Coleman unsuccessfully sought the 2022 Republican nomination for lieutenant governor,[14] coming in fifth place in the May 2022 primary election:
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Carrie DelRosso | 318,537 | 25.66 | |
Republican | Richard Saccone | 195,171 | 15.72 | |
Republican | Theodore Daniels | 150,749 | 12.14 | |
Republican | Clarice D. Schillinger | 147,705 | 11.90 | |
Republican | Jeffrey H. Coleman | 125,059 | 10.07 | |
Republican | James E. Jones | 113,183 | 9.12 | |
Republican | Russell H. Diamond | 73,751 | 5.94 | |
Republican | John A. Brown | 58,961 | 4.75 | |
Republican | Christopher C. Frye, Jr. | 58,403 | 4.70 | |
Total votes | 100.00% |