John Rafferty Jr.

Summary

John Rafferty Jr. (born February 7, 1953) is an American politician and former Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who had represented the 44th District from 2003 to 2019. He was the Republican nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 2016 but was defeated by Democrat Josh Shapiro. In 2018, he was defeated for re-election by Democrat Katie Muth.[2]

John Rafferty Jr.
Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
from the 44th district
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byJim Gerlach
Succeeded byKatie Muth
Personal details
Born (1953-02-07) February 7, 1953 (age 71)[1]
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceLower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (BA)
Beaver College (MA)
Temple University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteOfficial website

Career edit

Rafferty Jr. represented Pennsylvania's 44th senatorial district which includes parts of Berks, Chester and Montgomery Counties. He was re-elected for a fourth term in the Senate in November 2014.

Rafferty served as the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He also served as vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee and member of the Appropriations, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and Law and Justice Committees. Rafferty also previously served on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and in 2013 was appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing.

Prior to running for the Pennsylvania Senate, Rafferty served as an attorney in private practice focusing on education, real estate, zoning, business and estate law. As Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth from 1988 to 1991, he was assigned to the Criminal Law Division where his primary duty was investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud.

Rafferty was a member of the Methacton School Board from 1980 to 1984. He also represented Methacton in the operation of the Vo-Tech School as a member of the North Montco Vo-Tech Joint School Authority from 1981 to 1984. After serving on the Methacton School Board he was elected to serve as a member of the Lower Providence Township Board of Supervisors.

Education edit

Rafferty attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and completed his bachelor's degree at Pitt-Johnstown. He received a master's degree from Beaver College and his Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law.[3][4]

References edit

  1. ^ The Martindale-Hubbell law directory - Google Books. 1996. ISBN 9781561601783. Retrieved 2011-08-12 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Democrat Muth Unseats Rafferty for State Senator in PA 44". 6 November 2018.
  3. ^ Bogdan, Ruth. "AG candidate Rafferty visits Pitt-Bradford on swing through area". BradfordEra.com. The Bradford Era. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Mr John C. Rafferty, Jr. Profile | Lansdale, PA Lawyer | Martindale.com".

External links edit

  • Rafferty for Attorney General official campaign website
  • Rafferty for Senate official campaign website
  • State Senator John Rafferty official PA Senate website
  • Project Vote Smart - Senator John Rafferty (PA) profile
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
from the 44th district

2003–2019
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
2016
Succeeded by
Heather Heidelbaugh