John Eichelberger

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John Eichelberger of Blair Township, Pennsylvania is a county commissioner and senator-elect in the state of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Eichelberger gained notariety following his defeat of Senate President Pro-Tem Robert Jubelirer in the May 2006 primary election. In November 2006, Eichelberger was elected to represent the 30th district of the Pennsylvania State Senate. He defeated Democrat Greg Morris.

[edit] Biography

Prior to his career in government, Eichelberger was the President of an insurance brokerage in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In 1995, he was elected to the Blair County Commission. He was re-elected in 1999 and 2003.

[edit] 2006 Election

His Senate campaign was sparked by the 2005 Pennsylvania pay raise. One major figure in the controversy was Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, who had been a rival in Blair County politics.

The pay raise was highly unpopular and Eichelberger attacked Jubelirer for his support of the raise as well as his stance on abortion. During the campaign, Eichelberger received support from conservatives such as former congressman Pat Toomey and former Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton. [1] Jubelirer counter-attacked, noting that Eichelberger had benefited from pay raises as a commissioner. In addition, Jubelirer alleged that Eichelberger had a poor voting record on the commission.

On primary election day, Eichelberger took 45% to Jubelirer's 26% and C. Arnold McClure's 19%. Jubelirer and David Brightbill were the first top-ranked General Assembly leaders to be defeated in a primary since 1964. Eichelberger went on to face businessman Greg Morris in the general election. Given the Republican tilt of the district, Eichelberger overcame Republican difficulties elsewhere and won with 61% of the vote.