Party Officer Bios

Chairman T.J. Rooney

T.J. Rooney was elected Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in 2003. Since that time, the party has posted victories in 8 of 11 statewide races and boasts a 73% win record. As a member of one of the Lehigh Valley's best-known
political families, Rooney has made a name for himself as a leader in the
Democratic Party of Pennsylvania.

As Governor Ed Rendell's choice to lead the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania, Representative Rooney has served in many key political roles. He served as Operations Chairman of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and during the 2000 presidential campaign was a key advisor to Vice-President Al Gore in the successful battle to win Pennsylvania's electoral votes. He was also a key advisor to Gov. Rendell during the 2002 primary and general election. Rooney, as Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, led the PA Victory '04 effort that led to John Kerry's victory in Pennsylvania. in 2006, under Rooney's leadership, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party increased Democratic turnout by 25% statewide, helping lead to victories for Senator Bob Casey, four new members in the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation, a majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the overwhelming re-election of Governor Ed Rendell.

Rooney served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 14 years. Elected at the age of 27 in 1992, he chose not to seek re-election in 2006 at the age of 41 to devote more time to his family and party-building activities.

As a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Rooney was a strong voice to bring economic growth and opportunity to the Lehigh Valley. Rooney led the efforts to redevelop the land once home to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's largets steel-making operation. Upon completion, this project will spur economic development and create thousands of jobs in the Lehigh Valley. Rooney played an instrumental role in procuring an AAA minor league baseball stadium in the City of Allentown as well. Rooney is best known for his unrelenting efforts to enact reasonable, responsible gun safety measures geared to save lives. Rooney was also known for his efforts on behalf of consumers. Rooney sponsored the nation's first Computer Lemon Law to give consumers better legal protections when they are stuck with a defective computer. Rooney authored legislation to protect consumers including bills to improve security standards for automated teller machines and to protect seniors from mail and telemarketing scams. In 2002, he gained nationwide praise from victims' rights advocates when he protested a VH-1 documentary that featured the imprisoned killer of two Bethlehem girls.

Rooney has appeared on numerous state and national news programs including the Today Show, the O'Reilly Factor and Connie Chung Tonight. The Allentown Morning Call, Philadelphia Inquirer and PoliticsPA.com have called him a "Rising Star," in Pennsylvania politics.

Rooney is the son of the late Leo Rooney, a Bethlehem Steel executive, and the late Virginia Rooney. He's the nephew of former Congressman Fred B. Rooney. Rooney and his wife, Kathy, reside in Fountain Hill with their two children, Leo and Abaigeal.

Rooney is the managing director of Tri State Strategies PA, a government consulting firm with offices in Bethlehem and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.