| Bob Mellow | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate |
|
| In office November 18, 1992[1] – March 15, 1994 |
|
| Preceded by | Robert Jubelirer |
| Succeeded by | Robert Jubelirer |
| Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate |
|
| In office March 15, 1994 – November 30, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | William Lincoln |
| Succeeded by | Jay Costa |
| In office January 3, 1989 – November 18, 1992 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward Zemprelli |
| Succeeded by | William Lincoln |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 22nd district |
|
| In office January 5, 1971 – November 30, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Arthur Piasecki |
| Succeeded by | John Blake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10, 1943 Scranton, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Blakely, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Bethel College |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Robert J. "Bob" Mellow is a Democratic politician and former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, who represented the 22nd District from 1971 to 2010. He also served as the Minority Floor Leader and President pro tempore.
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Mellow was born on December 10, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to James and Alice (Generotti) Mellow. He is of mixed Irish and Italian ancestry. He has lived in Lackawanna County his entire life. Mellow served in the National Guard from 1962 to 1968 and, afterwards, attended Lackawanna Junior College and University of Scranton. He earned his BS in accounting from Bethel College.
He was elected to the State Senate in 1970, defeating Republican incumbent Arthur Piasecki, and was the Democratic caucus leader 1989 through 2010. Mellow represented the 22nd district, which included all of Lackawanna County and neighboring portions of Monroe County and Luzerne County. When the Democrats held the majority in the Senate from 1992 to 1994, Mellow served as the President Pro Tempore.
Mellow is a supporter of efforts to establish a medical school in Scranton. He successfully appropriated $35 million of the estimated $100 million cost in the state capital budget.[2]
As president pro tempore, Mellow was the first lawmaker to authorize the use of television cameras on the state Senate floor to broadcast live Senate sessions.[3]
Mellow indicated interest in running for the Governor's office in 2010.[4] However, he ultimately did not run for Governor, and announced his intention not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2010.[5] He was succeeded as the Democratic floor leader by Jay Costa.[6]
Mellow was one of the leaders of the ill-fated legislative pay raise in 2005.[7] He told constituent Bill McIntyre to "Get a life" in an email exchange about the pay raise bill.[8] This phrase became a rallying cry for reformers that year.[9]
Mellow is currently under criminal investigation by the FBI and IRS in relation to office leases inside buildings he once owned. Investigators raided the home in Archbald and district office in Peckville of Senator Mellow as well as searching the home of a former aide, Gabriel J. Giordano, on June 22, 2010. In July, as many as fifteen staffers were subpoenaed in connection with the investigation.[10][11][12]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Jubelirer |
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate 1992–1994 |
Succeeded by Robert Jubelirer |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Edward Zemprelli |
Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate 1989–1992 |
Succeeded by William Lincoln |
| Preceded by William Lincoln |
Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate 1994–2010 |
Succeeded by Jay Costa |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
| Preceded by Arthur Piasecki |
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 22nd District 1971–2010 |
Succeeded by John Blake |