Biography

01/04/1948 -

Jack E. Wagner (D42) Allegheny (Part) County 1994-2005

Early Life:

Jack E. Wagner, born January 4, 1948, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; son of Robert Conrad Wagner, Jr. and LaVerne Toner Wagner; South Hills High School, 1965; infantry, wounded in action, Purple Heart recipient, United States Marine Corps, Vietnam War, 1966-1968; Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), (B.S.), Safety Management, 1974; paramedic, Citizens Ambulance Service, Indiana County; taught, emergency responder courses, Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania; manager, National Accounts Loss Control Service, CNA Insurance; unsuccessful campaign, Pittsburgh City Council,  1981; member, Pittsburgh City Council, 4th district, 1984-1994, President, Pittsburgh City Council, 1989-1994, did not seek re-election to city council, 1993; unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, mayor of Pittsburgh 1993; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 42nd district, 1994-2005; unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, 2002; elected, Democrat, 50th Auditor General of Pennsylvania, 2005-2013; unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, gubernatorial election, 2010; unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, Pittsburgh mayoral election, 2013; married Nancy Hopkins Wagner, children, Luke Wagner, Sara Wagner.

Military Service:

In the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam, squad got caught in an ambush. Was among three wounded, twelve others died.

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

Board member Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau; Sharing and Caring Incorporation; Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Commission; Task Force on Adoption Law, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance; alumni board, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Film Office; University of Pittsburgh, Institute of Politics; 3 Rivers Regatta; 3 Rivers Bass Classic; chairman, Genesis-Riverside, Runs for Adoption; president, Beechview Community Council; member, American Society of Safety Engineers; Veterans’ Political Action Committee; Disabled American Veterans; German American National Congress; Italian Sons/Daughters of America; Knights of Equity; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Lions Club; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE); Moose; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Italian American War Veterans.

Awards 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Distinguished Alumni Award, service, community, university, 1994.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Member, Pittsburgh City Council, 4th district, 1984-1994, President, Pittsburgh City Council, 1989-1994, did not seek re-election to city council, 1993. 

Unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, mayor of Pittsburgh 1993.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, Special Election, 42nd district, Allegheny (Part) County, 1994-1998; filled, vacancy, death, Eugene Scanlon, seated, May 24, 1994; reelected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1998-2005; elected, Minority Caucus Administrator, 2001-2005; committee assignments, Banking and Insurance, (Minority Chair) Appropriations, Rules and Executive Nominations, Veterans Affairs and Emergency, Preparedness; member, Firefighter and Emergency Services Caucus, Pennsylvania Coal Caucus; left office, January 18, 2005

Unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, 2002; democratic primary ticket with then-auditor general Bob Casey Jr.; former state treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll, became the running mate of the party's gubernatorial nominee, former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell.

Elected, Democrat, 50th Auditor General of Pennsylvania, 2005-2013; responsible for auditing school districts, executive agencies, and state commissions to ensure fiscal responsibility. The legislature is exempt from the auditor general's purview. Served, officio commissioner, Delaware River Port Authority.

Unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, gubernatorial election, 2010.

Unsuccessful campaign, democratic primary, Pittsburgh mayoral election, 2013.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. Senate Members "W" (wilkes.edu). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual, (2003-2004). Cunningham Jr., D. T. (Editor). (Volume 116). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, page 3-36, 3-40. Biographies of Members of the Senate, page 3-23.