Pam Iovino
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 37th district
In office
April 29, 2019 (2019-04-29) – November 30, 2020 (2020-11-30)
Preceded byGuy Reschenthaler
Succeeded byDevlin Robinson
Personal details
Born (1956-07-23) July 23, 1956 (age 67)
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationGettysburg College (BA)
Naval War College (MA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1980–2003
Rank Captain

Pamela Marie Iovino[1][2] is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A Democrat, she was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 37th district and served from 2019 to 2020.

Education and early career

Iovino was raised in a suburb outside Pittsburgh.[3] She graduated from Gettysburg College with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1978. She joined the United States Navy as an ensign in 1980. She eventually earned the rank of captain. Iovino earned a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 1993. In 2004, Iovino became Assistant Secretary in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for Congressional and Legislative Affairs.[4]

Earlier political career

Main article: 2018 Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district special election § Democratic convention

Following Tim Murphy's resignation from the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district in 2017, Iovino sought to become the Democratic Party nominee in the special election to succeed him.

On November 19, 2017, local Democrats chose former U.S. Assistant Attorney Conor Lamb during a nominating convention instead.[5] Iovino placed third on both ballots, trailing behind Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli and Lamb, the eventual special election winner.[6]

Pennsylvania Senate

See also: 2019 Pennsylvania elections § Special elections

After Guy Reschenthaler, who represented the 37th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2018, a special election was called to fill the remainder of his term in the state senate.

Democrats selected Iovino as their nominee, and she faced Republican D. Raja.[7] On April 2, 2019, Iovino defeated Raja, receiving 52% of the vote.[8][9] Iovino was formally sworn in on April 29, 2019.[10][11]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iovino sponsored an amendment clarifying that volunteer firefighting companies could use Volunteer Firefighting Relief Association funds to sanitize and disinfect equipment.[12] In July 2020, Iovino signed a letter urging Governor Tom Wolf to ease restrictions on bars and restaurants.[13]

In July 2020, Iovino lost her wallet, which was coincidentally found and returned by her Republican opponent Devlin Robinson.[14]

Iovino was defeated by Devlin Robinson on November 3, 2020.[15]

References

  1. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Reserve Officers on the Active-Duty List. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1984. p. 110. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "PN1465 — Navy". U.S. Congress. July 15, 1994. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Pam Iovino for State Senate". Official campaign website. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  4. ^ "News Releases – Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs". U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  5. ^ Potter, Chris (November 19, 2017). "Democrats choose Conor Lamb, a former federal prosecutor, to replace Tim Murphy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "Conor Lamb Wins First-Ever Congressional Democratic Convention". Pennsylvania Democratic Party. November 19, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  7. ^ "In Pa's 37th senate district, Dems recommend Pam Iovino, GOP nominates D. Raja". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  8. ^ "Democrat Pam Iovino Declares Victory Over Republican D. Raja In Pa. Senate Special Election". April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  9. ^ "Pennsylvania Elections – Office Results". www.electionreturns.pa.gov. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "Pam Iovino Sworn into Pennsylvania Senate". Pennsylvania Senate Democrats. April 29, 2019.
  11. ^ Hardison, Elizabeth (April 29, 2019). "Democrat Pam Iovino takes the oath of office, is one of 13 women serving in the state Senate". Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
  12. ^ "State Senate passes legislation to provide $538 million in CARES Act funding for nursing & long-term care facilities, and fire & EMS grants". Fox 43. May 18, 2020.
  13. ^ "Pa. Legislators Send Letter To Gov. Tom Wolf, Requesting Restrictions Be Readjusted For Bars And Restaurants". KDKA. July 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Fearnow, Benjamin (July 18, 2020). "GOP State Senate Candidate Finds and Returns Wallet to Opponent". Newsweek. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  15. ^ Smeltz, Adam (November 4, 2020). "AP calls race for Devlin Robinson in 37th state Senate district". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

External links

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