| Mike Turzai | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 28th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 12, 2001[1][2] |
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| Preceded by | Jane Orie |
| Constituency | Part of Allegheny County |
| Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Smith |
| Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives |
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| In office January 6, 2009 – November 30, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Dave Argall |
| Succeeded by | Stan Saylor |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lidia Turzai |
| Residence | Bradford Woods, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | University of Notre Dame Duke University |
Mike Turzai is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Turzai has represented the 28th legislative district since 2001 and is a member of the Republican Party. He currently serves as the House Majority Leader.
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Prior to his House service, Turzai was an attorney in private practice and an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He served on the borough council of Bradford Woods, Pennsylvania as Vice President of that body. He ran for Congress in Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Ron Klink in 1998, losing 64% to 36%.
Turzai was elected in a special election on June 26, 2001 to replace Jane Orie who was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate.[3][3][4] He won election to a full term in 2002 and has won re-election in 2004 and 2006.
In 2006, Turzai was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. He initially supported Bill Scranton for Governor.[5] After Scranton withdrew from the Governor's race and it became clear that Jim Matthews would win the party endorsement for Lieutenant Governor, Turzai withdrew and sought re-election to his House seat.[5]
After the 2008 elections, Turzai was elected as Minority Whip.[6] Following the 2010 elections, which saw Republicans regain their House majority, Turzai was elected Majority Leader.
His signature issues are tort reform and welfare reform.[7]
Turzai is a graduate of University of Notre Dame and the Duke University School of Law. He and his wife reside in Bradford Woods, Pennsylvania with their three sons.
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