| Charlie Smithgall | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 1998 – January 3, 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Janice Stork |
| Succeeded by | Rick Gray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1945 Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Debbie Smithgall |
| Residence | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science |
| Profession | Pharmacist and politician |
Charles W. "Charlie" Smithgall (born September 20, 1945) is an American politician, pharmacist and businessman. Smithgall served as the Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania for two-terms from January 1998 until January 3, 2006. Smithgall, a Republican, lost his re-election bid for a third term to Democrat Rick Gray in 2005.[1]
In 2009, Smithgall, who was not a candidate for mayor at the time, received 227 write-in votes by in the mayoral primary election by supporters of the former mayor.[1] After consideration following his write-in primary victory, Smithgall announced his intention to accept the Republican write-in nomination and seek a third term as Mayor on June 26, 2009.[2]
Gray won a second term in the 2009 mayoral election, which took place on November 3, 2009.
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Smithgall, who was born in Lancaster, graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School in 1963.[3] He received a bachelor's of science degree in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, which is now known as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, in 1968.[3]
Smithgall is the current owner of Smithgalls' Pharmacy, a family business founded in 1916.[3] The Smithgall family operated a second pharmacy in Lancaster on Columbia Avenue until the store's closure in 2008.[3]
Smithgall married his wife, Debbie Smithgall, in 1972.[3] The couple have one daughter, Allison, who was born in 1979.[3]
An enthusiast of the American Civil War, Smithgall has been a Civil War re-enactor since 1961. He has worked as a consultant for several documentaries and films on the Civil War, including the 1993 movie, Gettysburg, in which he also appeared on screen as an artillery commander,[3] and the former History Channel series, Civil War Journal. Smithgall collects antique cannons, and owns approximately 40 cannons as of 2009.[3]
Prior to becoming mayor of Lancaster, Smithgall was a member of the Northwest Neighborhood Association, which opposed a proposed trolley linking downtown Lancaster with the Park City Center.[3] He also served as a member of the Republican Committee of Lancaster County.[3]
Charlie Smithgall was elected Mayor of Lancaster in 1997 after his predecessor, two-term Democrat Janice Stork, declined to run for a third term. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Jon Lyons, by 52 to 36 percent of the total vote. Smithgall was sworn into office in January 1998. [3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Janice C. Stork |
Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania January 1998–January 3, 2006 |
Succeeded by Rick Gray |