Frank Andrews Shimkus: Difference between revisions
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| state_house = Pennsylvania |
| state_house = Pennsylvania |
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| district = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 113|113th]] |
| district = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 113|113th]] |
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| term_start = January |
| term_start = January 2, 2007 |
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| term_end = |
| term_end = <!-- November 19, 2008 --> |
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| predecessor = [[Gaynor Cawley]] |
| predecessor = [[Gaynor Cawley]] |
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| successor = [[Kevin Murphy (politician)|Kevin Murphy]] |
| successor = Incumbent <!-- [[Kevin Murphy (politician)|Kevin Murphy]] --> |
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| birth_date = 1952 |
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1952}} |
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| birth_place = [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]] |
| birth_place = [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]] |
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| death_date = |
| death_date = |
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| death_place = |
| death_place = |
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| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |
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| alma_mater = [[University of Scranton]]<br>[[Antietam Bible College]] |
| alma_mater = [[University of Scranton]]<br/>[[Antietam Bible College]] |
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| occupation = |
| occupation = Broadcaster, pastor |
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| spouse = |
| spouse = |
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| children = |
| children = |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?districtnumber=113 Pennsylvania House profile] |
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{{CongLinks |votesmart=60222}} |
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* [http://www.pahouse.com/shimkus/ Representative Shimkus' website] |
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[[Category:1952 births]] |
[[Category:1952 births]] |
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Revision as of 04:02, 16 November 2008
Frank Andrews Shimkus | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 113th district | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Gaynor Cawley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1952 (age 71–72) Scranton, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Throop, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | University of Scranton Antietam Bible College |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, pastor |
Frank Andrews Shimkus (born 1952) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has represented the 113th District since 2006, but will be leaving office after only one term after being defeated by fellow Democrat Kevin Murphy. The district is located in western Lackawanna County and includes roughly 60 percent of Scranton.
Shimkus grew up in the High Works neighborhood of Scranton. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1973 with a degree in English. He then went into broadcasting, despite the misgivings of his father (who thought broadcasters were carnies). After working as an announcer at WEJL in Scranton and WCAU in Philadelphia, he went into television. He served as an anchor and reporter at WNEP-TV in Scranton from 1980 to 1998, doubling for much of that time as news director. After a brief two-year hiatus, he moved to WYOU as anchor and news director. During his broadcasting career, he was known on-air as "Frank Andrews."[1]
While still at WNEP, Shimkus earned a master's degree in theology from Antietam Bible College in 1993 and a doctorate in biblical studies from the same institution two years later. He currently serves as the part-time pastor of Trinity Congregational United Church of Christ in Scranton.
Shimkus resigned from WYOU in March 2006 to run for the state house after longtime incumbent Gaynor Cawley retired. He narrowly won a four-way Democratic primary and breezed to election in November.
2008 reelection
His bid for a second term was derailed by disputes over his residency. He'd lived in South Abington, a suburb of Scranton, for many years. Midway through his term, he moved in with his fiancee in Throop on the advice of his doctors, who suggested he shouldn't live alone after suffering several concussions. He listed a house in Scranton owned by his daughter and son-in-law as his primary residence when he filed for the Democratic primary. Shimkus' primary opponent, former Scranton city councilman Kevin Murphy, and two others filed a petition to have Shimkus thrown off the ballot citing the residency issue. The Scranton and Throop houses are in the district. Nevertheless, a Commonwealth Court judge granted the petition on March 14, 2008; finding that Shimkus intentionally misrepresented his address.[2][3] Since no Republican even filed in this heavily Democratic district, this appeared to hand the nomination--and the seat--to Murphy.
In an unusual move, Shimkus then mounted a write-in bid for both the Democratic and Republican nominations. He lost the Democratic primary to Murphy by only 107 votes, but easily won the Republican primary. However, he stated that he intended to remain a Democrat. In the November election, Shimkus lost to Murphy by 1,300 votes.
References
- ^ Krawczeniuk, Borys. Frank Andrews Shimkus The Times-Tribune, 2006-05-07.
- ^ Brogadir, Josh. Representative Frank Shimkus Off April Ballot. WNEP-TV, 2008-03-14
- ^ First-term rep kicked off primary ballot