Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell (born January 5 1944) is a politician, a former Governor of Pennsylvania, and member of the Democratic Party. He was elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003. He has been the Campaign Chair for the Democratic Governors Association, and also served as General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 presidential election.
Biography
Rendell was born in New York City to Jewish-American parents Jesse T. Rendell and Emma Sloat; all four of his grandparents were immigrants from Russia. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and a J.D. from Villanova Law School in 1968. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974.
Rendell has taught a class on elections entitled "The Science of Politics: Who Gets Elected and Why"at the University of Pennsylvania.
Education
- Bachelor's degree - University of Pennsylvania (1965)
- Juris Doctor - Villanova Law School (1968)
Political career
Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011)
Rendell was elected the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania in November 2002, and first assumed office on January 21, 2003. He won re-election in 2006. Rendell was succeeded by Republican Tom Corbett in January of 2007. When Rendell announced his intent to run for the Democratic Nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania, he did not have the support of the state party. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party supported Bob Casey. In the primary, Rendell won the nomination, winning six out of 67 counties: Philadelphia County, the Philadelphia Suburban counties of Bucks, Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Delaware, and Allegheny County (home of Pittsburgh). In the November 2002 gubernatorial election, he defeated Mike Fisher (R) 53% to 45%. In addition to Philadelphia County, Rendell also won traditionally Republican suburbs of Philadelphia. Traditionally Republican voters who backed Rendell were dubbed Rendellicans by the media and were a key part of the success of his campaign.[1]
Issues
The Plan for a New Pennsylvania
The first piece of legislation Rendell introduced was The Plan for a New Pennsylvania.[2] The Plan proposed to use revenue from slot machines to reduce taxes by $1.5 billion (an average 30% decrease for homeowners). It also planned to increase education funding by $687 million. To pay for the plan, it proposed an income tax increase from 2.80% to 3.75% and an increase in utilities and beer taxes. The plan was passed with a reduced tax increase to 3.07% instead of 3.75% and a reduced increase in education funding by $450 million instead of $687 million. The final budget deal included additional taxes on cigarettes and utilities.[3]
Later that year, the Rendell administration also passed a prescription drug plan that covered older Pennsylvanians.
Budget
In his first year, Rendell created the Office of Management and Productivity. The goal was to cut $1 billion in administrative expenses. Part of Rendell's productivity initiative was strategic sourcing, in which he modified the Commonwealth's old procurement system. This resulted in $180 million in annual savings[4] (dead link) and quadrupled Pennsylvania's minority and women-owned business participation rate.
Property taxes
In 2004, Rendell persuaded the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass measures to legalize and tax slot machine parlors and use the revenues to reduce property taxes. Prior to these measures, horse racing and the state-run lottery were the only legal forms of gambling in Pennsylvania.
In an agreement with the legislature, Rendell accepted a provision that required tax reductions only in areas where local school boards voted to accept the funding. The measure known as Act 72 funding was accepted by one-fifth of Pennsylvania's school districts.
Rendell and the Pennsylvania legislature looked at other proposals to reduce property taxes. The governor said he considered legislation that changed Act 72. Legislative proposals mandated school districts to accept the funding. Other proposed legislation required the issue to be decided on through a ballot question rather than by school boards.
Legislative salary raise
In 2005, Rendell received criticism from the public and press for signing a pay raise for legislators. Later, he signed the measure's repeal. In 2007, pay raise was a large issue in central and western Pennsylvania. Rendell criticized the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and its executive salaries and expenses, to use PHEAA's profits from federal student loan revenues to help finance the Commonwealth's need-based state grant program for undergraduate post-secondary education (both for grants and for the administration of the program). However, PHEAA, is not a direct state government department. It was created as a quasi-governmental agency by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and is governed by a Board comprised primarily of members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate.
Shale drilling ban
Gov. Rendell signed an executive order on October 26, 2010, that banned any further leasing of state lands for Marcellus shale drilling. He said concerns over the certification of an environmentally stable forest justified the moratorium. He also cited a report from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which suggested any additional leases for Marcellus shale gas drilling could endanger the “quality and character of these tracts.”
The DCNR report calculated that Pennsylvania managing its forests in a sustainable manner was worth about $6 billion to the forest products industry at the time.
"Drilling companies’ rush to grab private lands across the state has left few areas untouched by this widespread industrial activity," said Mr. Rendell. "We need to protect our un-leased public lands from this rush because they are the most significant tracts of undisturbed forest remaining in the state. The House led the way to protect these lands, but the Senate failed to do so. That’s why it’s clear we need this executive order."
The moratorium did not affect any drilling on state lands already leased, which included approximately 700,000 of Pennsylvanian's 2.2 million acres of forest land.[5]
$45 Million For Pittsburgh Mass Transit
On December 2, 2010, Gov. Rendell said he found $45 million in federal taxpayer funds and wanted to give it to the bankrupt Allegheny County Port Authority so it could keep its regional public transit network running at full capacity for another six months.
The authority announced a 35 percent cut in service in March and a significant fare increases on Jan. 1. They were projected to lay off 500 workers in an effort to cope with a $47 million shortfall in its operating budget. The newly redirected federal funding allowed the authority to maintain existing operations through the end of June, Rendell said.[6]
RACP funding
With two weeks left in his term, Rendell topped the $2 billion mark in taxpayer funds distributed through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
The money comes through state bond issues, so taxpayers will ultimately offer nearly $3 billion to pay off the debt over the next 22 to 30 years.
RACP funds require a matching amount from project developers, which are frequently taxpayer-funded bond issues from lower levels of government.
In early December 2010, Rendell committed to 19 projects in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for $84 million. At the same time, Warren and Erie counties took in $45 million the governor claimed would leverage $68 million in additional private funding in the state's northwestern corner.
Later in December 2010, Rendell pushed about $100 million into the stockings of businesses and developers in the Philadelphia region, bringing RACP funding to at least $2.11 billion between 2003 and 2010.[7]
Governor-elect Tom Corbett's transition team said Corbett was facing a $4 to $5 billion operating shortfall in the spring and would examine all outstanding projects that have not been “signed, sealed and delivered.”[8]
Mayor of Philadelphia (1992-2000)
Rendell was the first Jewish mayor of Philadelphia. He was first elected in 1991, his second mayoral campaign. In 1987, he ran for the Democratic nomination against the incumbent mayor, W. Wilson Goode—a race in which some of the Philadelphia Black Clergy charged that Rendell reneged on a promise not to run against Goode. The fallout hung over Rendell as he entered the 1991 campaign, but he benefited from a multi-candidate primary. In the Republican primary, the notable former Philadelphia mayor, Frank L. Rizzo, won against Ron Castille, who had resigned his office as District Attorney in order to run for mayor. Rizzo died in the summer of 1991. Rendell won by more than a 2-1 margin against Joseph M. Egan, Jr., Rizzo's replacement on the Republican ticket.[9]
As mayor, Rendell faced many fiscal problems. To oversee Philadelphia's fiscal issue, the state legislature established a fiscal oversight board. Rendell cut a $250 million deficit, balanced Philadelphia's budget, and oversaw five consecutive years of budget surpluses. He also reduced business and wage taxes for four consecutive years, implemented revenue-generating initiatives, and improved services to Philadelphia neighborhoods. Due to his cost-cutting policies, he received strong opposition from labor unions; however, he was re-elected in 1995, receiving 80% of the vote and defeating Republican Joe Rocks. On December 21, 1999, shortly before the end of his term, Rendell resigned to become the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Mayor-elect John Street became mayor.
The best-selling book A Prayer for the City by Buzz Bissinger, a former journalist documents Rendell's first term as mayor. Bissinger had access to Rendell during his first term. The New York Times described Rendell's job as mayor as "the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history."[10] Rendell was nicknamed "America's Mayor" by Al Gore and chaired the DNC during the 2000 presidential election.
District Attorney of Philadelphia (1977-1986)
Rendell was elected district attorney of Philadelphia in 1977. In the primary election, he defeated the incumbent, F. Emmett Fitzpatrick (D). In his campaign, he highlighted that he was a political newcomer and was not corrupt. He served two terms before resigning in 1986 to run for Pennsylvania Governor. He was defeated in the Democratic primary for Governor by Robert P. Casey, Sr.
Elections
2010
Rendell was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election in 2010, although he had already announced during his re-election campaign in 2006, that it would be the last one of his career. If he changed his mind, Governors in Pennsylvania are restricted to serving two consecutive terms, meaning that Rendell would have had to wait until 2014 to run again for the top office.
2008
Rendell said that he was "not really" interested in running for either President or Vice President in 2008.[11] "I like to be my own boss," said Rendell.[12] On February 25, 2007, Rendell appeared on Fox News Sunday and dismissed any speculation that he might run for the presidency or the vice presidency and denied any wish to be the vice presidential running mate of the eventual Democratic nominee. Nevertheless, he drew considerable attention. His service as district attorney and mayor demonstrated a law enforcement focus that could be a positive campaign asset, as could his military service. On MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthew repeatedly compared former New York City mayor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's overtly successful mayoral tenure in NYC to Rendell's largely successful run as Philadelphia's mayor. Both Giuliani and Rendell have previously been dubbed "America's Mayor."
In early 2005, Rendell made statements that seemed to support President George W. Bush's Social Security privatization proposal. Rendell addressed this issue in later speeches, saying that he opposes social security privatization, and that his previous comments were meant to show admiration for President Bush for taking on a politically risky subject. Nevertheless, Rendell's initial statements cost him support among Democrats who were against Social Security privatization.
Rendell announced that his re-election campaign in 2006 would be the last of his career.
2006
Rendell won re-election on November 7, 2006.[13] His Republican opponent in November was Lynn Swann, a former football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rendell received 2,415,572 votes and Swann received 1,593,277 votes. Rendell defeated Swaan 60%-40%.
Rendell was sworn into his second term as governor of Pennsylvania on January 16, 2007.
2004
Rendell was a potential candidate to serve as Senator John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 Presidential campaign. Pennsylvania was considered as one of the most contested "swing states" at the time of the election. Rendell's popularity in the suburban counties around Philadelphia was key to Kerry's victory in the state.
2002
Rendell was first elected Governor of Pennsylvania in November 2002.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage and endorsements scopes.
2016 Democratic National Convention
- Delegate to the 2016 DNC (click to expand)
- See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016
Ed Rendell Democratic National Convention, 2016 Status: Superdelegate State: Pennsylvania Supporting: Hillary Clinton Delegates to the DNC 2016 Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • State election law and delegates • Superdelegates by state Rendell was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania.[14] Rendell was one of 19 superdelegates from Pennsylvania. Superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention were not bound by the results of their state’s primary or caucus results to support a specific presidential candidate. Rendell supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.[15]Clinton formally won the Democratic nomination for president on July 26, 2016.[16]
What is a superdelegate?
Superdelegates in 2016 were automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning that, unlike regular delegates, they were not elected to this position. Also unlike regular delegates, they were not required to pledge their support to any presidential candidate, and they were not bound by the results of their state's presidential primary election or caucus. In 2016, superdelegates included members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents. All superdelegates were free to support any presidential candidate of their choosing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.[17]
Pennsylvania primary results
Hillary Clinton won the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. A total of 189 pledged delegates were at stake. Polling from late-March and April showed Clinton with a lead over Bernie Sanders ranging from six to 22 points.Pennsylvania Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate Vote % Votes Delegates 
Hillary Clinton 55.6% 935,107 106 Bernie Sanders 43.5% 731,881 83 Roque De La Fuente 0.9% 14,439 0 Totals 1,681,427 189 Source: The New York Times and Pennsylvania Secretary of State Delegate allocation
Pennsylvania had 208 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Of this total, 189 were pledged delegates. National party rules stipulated how Democratic delegates in all states were allocated. Pledged delegates were allocated to a candidate in proportion to the votes he or she received in a state's primary or caucus. A candidate was eligible to receive a share of the state's pledged delegates if he or she won at least 15 percent of the votes cast in the primary or caucus. There were three types of pledged Democratic delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates, and party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs). Congressional district delegates were allocated proportionally based on the primary or caucus results in a given district. At-large and PLEO delegates were allocated proportionally based on statewide primary results.[18][19]
Nineteen party leaders and elected officials served as unpledged delegates. These delegates were not required to adhere to the results of a state's primary or caucus.[18][20]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
His wife, Marjorie Rendell, a Catholic, has served as a federal judge. They married on July 10 1971, and have one son, Jesse, a 2002 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who was the bassist for the defunct southern New Jersey punk rock band Don't Look Down.
The Eric Baker character on television series The West Wing, played by Ed O'Neill, is said to be based on Rendell. Baker is the Governor of Pennsylvania on the show.
See also
External links
- On the Issues - Ed Rendell issue positions and quotes
Articles
- Article praising Rendell's term as mayor
- Article rather more critical of his term as mayor
- ESPN recap of the above Sixers-Celtics game
- Pennsylvania Governor Keynotes Emerging Issues Forum, North Carolina State University press release, January 30, 2004
Footnotes
- ↑ Pittsburgh Live, "'Rendellicans' cross party lines," August 9, 2002
- ↑ http://www.pahouse.com/budget2003PART2/index.asp
- ↑ http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=435949
- ↑ http://www.governor.state.pa.us/governor/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=437328
- ↑ "Governor Signs Executive Order Banning Further Leasing of State Lands for Drilling," Pennsylvania Independent, October 26, 2010
- ↑ "Gov. Rendell Finds $45 Million For Pittsburgh Mass Transit," Pennsylvania Independent, December 3, 2010
- ↑ "Pa.’s Rendell ‘invests’ $139 million in western cities," Pennsylvania Independent, December 14, 2010
- ↑ "Rendell Tops $2 Billion in RACP Funding," Pennsylvania Independent, January 3, 2011
- ↑ CityPaper.net, "Dead Men Can Vote," October 12, 1995
- ↑ Democratic Governors Association, "Governor Edward G. Rendell," accessed December 22, 2005
- ↑ PhillyBurbs.com, "Rendell: Election outcome simple to interpret," accessed January 13, 2005
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/PA/G/00/index.html
- ↑ Ballotpedia's list of superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention is based on our own research and lists provided by the Democratic National Committee to Vox.com in February 2016 and May 2016. If you think we made an error in identifying superdelegates, please send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.
- ↑ Philadelphia Business Journal, "PoliticsPA: Hillary secures all of Pennsylvania's superdelegates," April 28, 2016
- ↑ To find out which candidate a superdelegate supported, Ballotpedia sought out public statements from the superdelegate in other media outlets and on social media. If we were unable to find a public statement that clearly articulated which candidate the superdelegate supported at the national convention, we listed that superdelegate as "unknown." If you believe we made an error in identifying which candidate a superdelegate supported, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
- ↑ Congressional Research Service, "The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2016: Frequently Asked Questions," December 30, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Democratic National Committee, "2016 Democratic National Convention Delegate/Alternate Allocation," updated February 19, 2016
- ↑ The Green Papers, "2016 Democratic Convention," accessed May 7, 2021
- ↑ Democratic National Committee's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection, "Unpledged Delegates -- By State," May 27, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mark Schweiker |
Governor of Pennsylvania 2003-2011 |
Succeeded by Tom Corbett |
