Biography

08/08/1930 - 06/12/2013

Frank Anthony Pecora (R44) Westmoreland (Part) County 1979-1982 (R44) Allegheny (Part), Westmoreland (Part) Counties, 1983-1992 (D44) Berks (Part), Chester (Part), Lehigh (Part); Montgomery (Part) Counties 1993-1994

Early Life:

Frank Anthony Pecora, born August 8, 1930, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; son of Frank L. and Elizabeth Cristillo Pecora; Commissioner, 9th Ward, Councilman at Large, Penn Hills, 1971-1978; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1979-1992, switch parties, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1992-1994; married, Barbara Gigliotti Pecora, children, Frank L. Pecora, Barbara Pecora; died, June 12, 2017, (aged 86), pneumonia, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, F.O.P Lodge 91, Perry-Ionic Lodge 796; 32nd Degree Mason, Shiloh Royal Arch Chapter 257.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Commissioner, 9th Ward, Councilman at Large, Penn Hills, 1971-1978.

Elected, Republican, 44th district, Westmoreland (Part) County, 1979-1982; elected, Republican, 44th district, Allegheny (Part), Westmoreland (Part) Counties, 1983-1992; switched parties, Democrat, 44th district, Berks (Part), Chester (Part), Lehigh (Part); Montgomery (Part) Counties, 1993-1994; did not seek reelection, 1994. Prominent Pennsylvania Democrats previously worked for, Pennsylvania State Senator Sean Logan, United States Congressman Michael Doyle.

With the passage of the 1991 reapportionment plan, outcome was that moved legislative district several hundred miles from Allegheny County to Chester County. Determined to continue representing his legislative district, constituents, in the Senate, rented an apartment, Chester County. 

Late 1992, Republicans held a 26-24 majority in the Senate chamber. Switched parties, now voting Democrat. This decision changed the Senate's partisan makeup to an even 25-25, allowing presiding Officer Senate Democrat Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel to cast the tie-breaking votes, giving Democrats control of the upper legislative chamber. Announced prior to the 1994 elections that he would not seek re-election in his new district. Vacant legislative seat was won by Republican Pennsylvania State House Representative Jim Gerlach, helping Republicans regain control, Pennsylvania State Senate.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members P". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

 "The old switcheroo | TribLIVE". Pittsburghlive.com. 

"FRANK PECORA Obituary (1930 - 2017) - Penn Hills, PA - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Legacy.com.

Frank A Pecora (1930-2017) - Find a Grave Memorial