Senator Judy Schwank

When Mike O’Pake passed away in December 2010 after 38 years serving District 11, he left a daunting task for whoever was elected to fill his senate seat. While he could never truly be replaced, Judy Schwank’s steadfast commitment to Berks County made her the best candidate to continue Sen. O’Pake’s legacy of public service.

In 2000, Sen. Schwank was elected as a Berks County Commissioner, the first woman to hold that at office. She has also served as President of 10,000 friends and Dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Delaware Valley College. Government reform, education, lowering property taxes, agriculture and conservation have always been priorities of Sen. Schwank’s and composed a strong platform during her successful Special Election run in 2011 for the District 11 Senate Seat.

A resident of Fleetwood, Sen. Schwank and her husband Jim have three grown children. She earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in agricultural education from Penn State University. She went on to complete the Executive Leadership Program through the Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Institute for the Management of Life-Long Education at Harvard University.

Senator John Yudichak

After 13 years serving the 119^th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, John Yudichak was elected in 2010 to the State Senate, District 14. Given the severe economic challenges facing Pennsylvania, Sen. Yudichak has aggressively pursued policies to facilitate growth in District 14 and throughout the state. He will look to continue as Senator his commitment to seniors, children, education, green energy and reducing property taxes.

A resident of Plymouth Township, Sen. Yudichak lives with his wife, Heather, and their daughters, Sarah, Anna and Evelyn. He is a graduate of Greater Nanticoke Area High School, Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School and Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in American Studies.

Senator Tim Solobay

A lifelong resident of Canonsburg, Senator Tim Solobay has dedicated his entire career to serving the people of southwestern Pennsylvania. After six terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, he was elected in 2010 to the Pennsylvania Senate, District 46.

Since his election, Sen. Solobay has made job creation and energy his focus. He is chief of the Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, where he has served since 1978.

Sen. Solobay earned a bachelor’s degree in management from California Coastal University in Santa Ana, Calif., and is a graduate of Washington Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. He is married to his wife, Karen, and they have two grown children.

Senator Jim Brewster

Jim Brewster was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2010.  Formerly the Mayor of McKeesport, Sen. Brewster now serves Senate District 45, covering parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

Early in his senate career, Sen. Brewster has already sponsored legislation to create jobs and boost economic growth, and he has fought to prevent cuts in education funding. 

Sen. Brewster is married to the former Linda Leah. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. He is a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a degree in education.

Senator John Blake

John Blake was elected in 2010 to the Pennsylvania Senate, District 22, after serving as the Executive Deputy Secretary for the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Senate District 22 covers parts of Luzerne and Monroe Counties.

Job creation, healthcare and energy have been Sen. Blake’s early priorities as senator.

Sen. Blake grew up and remains in Archbald, PA. He earned a degree in Sociology from Villanova University, masters in Social Work from Marywood College and MBA in Finance from the University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management. Sen. Blake also completed Executive Education in Public Management at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has been married for 25 years to his wife, Louise, and they have two grown children.