H. William DeWeese
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bill DeWeese | |
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Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 50th district |
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| In office 1976 – present |
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| In office 1993 – 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Robert O'Donnell |
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| Succeeded by | Matt Ryan |
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| Born | April 18, 1950 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Holly Kinser (divorced) |
| Residence | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
H. William "Bill" DeWeese, (born April 18, 1950) is the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. DeWeese served as 135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 1993-1994.
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[edit] Background
DeWeese was born April 18, 1950, in Pittsburgh and raised in rural Greene County. After earning a B.A., History at Wake Forest University, he joined the United States Marine Corps 1972-1975.
[edit] State House
After leaving the Marines, DeWeese was elected to the Pennsylvania House in a 1976 special election and has served the 50th district (all of Greene and parts of Fayette and Washington Counties) since.
DeWeese's ascent through the echelons of House Democratic leadership began when he was elected by his colleagues as Majority Whip in 1988. Upon the death of Speaker of the House James J. Manderino, DeWeese was elected House Majority Leader in January 1990, serving in that position until he was elected Speaker of the House for the 1993-94 term. In 1994, he lost the Speakership when Democrat Rep. Stish switched parties, giving the GOP the majority. He went on to serve as Minority Leader from 1994 until 2006.
Following November 2006 elections, a tight race in Chester County gave a slim 102-101 majority to the Democrats, DeWeese became Democratic speaker-designate. Days before the General Assembly convened on January 2, 2007, Rep. Thomas Caltigirone (D) of Berks County announced he would not support DeWeese as speaker but would remain a Democrat. For the second time, DeWeese was denied the speakership by a member of his own party. DeWeese made a shocking move in the Hall of the House when he nominated Philadelphia County Republican Rep. Dennis O'Brien for the office of Speaker. O'Brien defeated fellow Northeast Philadelphia Republican John M. Perzel in a 105-97 vote. Many political analysts speculate DeWeese's leadership style led to the 1994 and 2007 party defections.
[edit] Role in the 2005 legislative pay raise
Rep. DeWeese supported a legislative and judicial pay raise in 2005. After criticism from the media and activist groups, DeWeese joined his colleagues in a near unanimous repeal of the pay raise.
DeWeese reorganized the Democratic Caucus following the vote. Members who voted in favor of the pay raise were promoted to those positions; while those who voted against lost such positions as a result of their opposition. Republicans and a small number of fellow Democrats, including Governor Ed Rendell, criticized DeWeese's move; but he stood by his decision, explaining that those who opposed the pay-raise legislation knew the realignment would be a consequence. [1]
Despite the defeats of several legislative leaders in the wake of the pay scandal, DeWeese fought off a 2006 primary election challenge and was elected for an additional term in office on November 7, 2006.
[edit] 2007 Speaker Election
In 2006, the Democratic party won a 102-101 majority in the House, giving DeWeese a second chance at the speaker's gavel. However, several Democratic representatives were rumored to be unhappy with Deweese. Among them were Rep. Rosita Youngblood of Philadelphia whom DeWeese accused of being "owned lock, stock and barrel by Perzel Incorporated. [2] Caltagirone publicly announced his intention to support Perzel, thereby denying DeWeese the Speakership. [3] However, Democrats foiled Perzel's move by nominating a Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien for Speaker. O'Brien went on to win the election.
[edit] Bonus Investigation
It is alleged that DeWeese is the target of Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett's investigation into whether the House Democratic caucus made illegal payments to staffers, including bonuses for campaign work. He chose to fire several Democratic caucus staffers, including his chief of staff, after it was alleged that they improperly destroyed documents related to the Attorney General's investigation.[4]
He has survived calls for his resignation from reform activists [5] and his fellow state representatives [6]and claims to have solid support for his leadership within the caucus. [7]
[edit] Speech
DeWeese is well known for his idiosyncratic style of speaking and writing, which incorporates an extensive vocabulary, anachronistic usages, and attenuated metaphors. For instance, a 2002 letter by DeWeese to lobbyist Stephen Wojdak regarding Wojdak's hiring of DeWeese's ex-wife, Holly Kinser, began with the following paragraph:
Let's cut to the chase ... you sir, are a liar. The measure of the person in our enterprise is his word. When a man comes to my Capitol Hill enclave and stands beneath that impressive chandelier of gold, looks me in the eye with a gimlet gaze, shakes my hand with a sturdy grip and gives me his word, to me it's axiomatic that the gentleman is telling the truth. You are an abject, ignoble, mendacious knave! [8]
While some take DeWeese's use of language as evidence of his high level of intellect, others complain that his prose is frequently mangled. Others find his linguistic choices pompous. In a 2002 interview with the Allentown Morning Call, DeWeese said regarding his metaphors: "My intelligence is in the middle range, but my enthusiasm is above average."
[edit] References
- ^ Philadelphia Inquirer Moves in Pa. House to Stand, August 5, 2005
- ^ Philadelphia Daily News, Rosita's revenge? December 29, 2006
- ^ Reading Eagle, Democrat plans to support Perzel, spoiling party speakership, December 30, 2006
- ^ http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-56/119524974111020.xml&storylist=penn
- ^ Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas with John L. Micek Blog
- ^ DeWeese may face caucus ire - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
- ^ Democrats seek to take focus off bonus scandal (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times
- ^ Politics.pa.com
[edit] External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - H. William DeWeese official PA House website
- Project Vote Smart - Representative H. William DeWeese (PA) profile
- Follow the Money - H. William DeWeese
- Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus - Rep. Bill DeWeese official Party website
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