Difference between revisions of "Ed Rendell"
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[[Image:Edward G. Rendell.jpg|right|170px]] | [[Image:Edward G. Rendell.jpg|right|170px]] | ||
| − | '''Edward G. Rendell''' | + | '''Edward G. Rendell''' (b. 1944) is the 45th governor of [[Pennsylvania]]; he was elected as a [[Democrat]] in 2001. His name is pronounced ren-DELL. |
| − | + | ==Career== | |
| − | + | Rendell was born on January 5, 1944 to a wealthy Jewish family in New York City. He moved to Philadelphia to attend the U. of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League school) and earned a law degree at Villanova in 1968. He and his wife, Federal '''Judge Marjorie Rendell''' have been married since 1971. They have one son, Jesse. | |
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Rendell served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. | Rendell served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. | ||
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| + | Prior government experience included Chairman of the Democratic National Committee or DNC in 2000. After a defeat in 1987 he was elected mayor of [[Philadelphia]] in 1991 and reelected in 1995. He was the elected [[District attorney]] in Philadelphia from 1977-1986, when he left to run, unsuccessfully for governor. As D.A. he was a proponent of [[capital punishment]], including one high profile case which he successfully prosecuted, that of convicted cop killer '''Mumia Abu Jamal''' [http://www.academia.org/store/cop_killer_description.html]. | ||
| + | ==Governor== | ||
| + | Rendell has tried cutting the state budget to meet the [[Recession of 2008]], and has raised state income taxes 10%. He succeeded in legalizing casino gambling, and also signed a law to sharply increase the salaries of elected officials. (He returned his own increase.) Facing a difficult reelection in 2006, he passed a $1 billion cut in property taxes. He defeated a retired football player for reelection. His numerous financial proposals were rejected by the legislature in 2007-08. | ||
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| + | Rendell ran [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]'s primary campaign in April 2008, scoring a decisive 55%-45% win over [[Barack Obama]]. He of course endorsed Obama when he won the nomination and helped carry the state for the Democratic ticket, 54%-44%. In spring 2009 he persuaded Senator [[Arlen Specter]] to switch from the GOP to the Democrats, promising he and Obama would campaign for Specter in 2010. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
Rendell is a renown sports fan and avidly follows the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] | Rendell is a renown sports fan and avidly follows the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] | ||
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[[category:Democratic Governors]] | [[category:Democratic Governors]] | ||
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[[Category:United States Mayors]] | [[Category:United States Mayors]] | ||
[[Category:Reagan Era]] | [[Category:Reagan Era]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Obama Presidency]] | ||
Revision as of 04:19, October 23, 2009
Edward G. Rendell (b. 1944) is the 45th governor of Pennsylvania; he was elected as a Democrat in 2001. His name is pronounced ren-DELL.
Career
Rendell was born on January 5, 1944 to a wealthy Jewish family in New York City. He moved to Philadelphia to attend the U. of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League school) and earned a law degree at Villanova in 1968. He and his wife, Federal Judge Marjorie Rendell have been married since 1971. They have one son, Jesse.
Rendell served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974.
Prior government experience included Chairman of the Democratic National Committee or DNC in 2000. After a defeat in 1987 he was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1991 and reelected in 1995. He was the elected District attorney in Philadelphia from 1977-1986, when he left to run, unsuccessfully for governor. As D.A. he was a proponent of capital punishment, including one high profile case which he successfully prosecuted, that of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal [1].
Governor
Rendell has tried cutting the state budget to meet the Recession of 2008, and has raised state income taxes 10%. He succeeded in legalizing casino gambling, and also signed a law to sharply increase the salaries of elected officials. (He returned his own increase.) Facing a difficult reelection in 2006, he passed a $1 billion cut in property taxes. He defeated a retired football player for reelection. His numerous financial proposals were rejected by the legislature in 2007-08.
Rendell ran Hillary Rodham Clinton's primary campaign in April 2008, scoring a decisive 55%-45% win over Barack Obama. He of course endorsed Obama when he won the nomination and helped carry the state for the Democratic ticket, 54%-44%. In spring 2009 he persuaded Senator Arlen Specter to switch from the GOP to the Democrats, promising he and Obama would campaign for Specter in 2010.
Trivia
Rendell is a renown sports fan and avidly follows the Philadelphia Eagles
