Member Biography

Biography

John James Sweeney, Jr. (D26) Delaware (Part) County 1975-1978

Early Life:

John James Sweeney, Jr., born June 1, 1927, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; son of John J. and Helen Harkins Sweeney; employed, butcher shop; Saint Thomas More High School; Temple University; served in occupied Japan, United States Army and Army Reserve, staff sergeant; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1975-1978; real estate broker, federal government administrator; married, Dolores Theresa (Grzymala), children, John James III, Gerard H., Dennis M., Joseph D., Grace Ann Carroll, Katheen P. Pogwist, Kevin Robert; died October 2, 2026, Haverford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; interment, Saint Denis Cemetery, Havertown, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, fist ever Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 26th district, Delaware (Part) County, 1975-1978; committee assignments, Military Affairs and Aeronautics (Chairman) Consumer Affairs (Vice Chairman); chaired, investigating committee, Adjunct General Harry A. Mier, Jr., 1978; announced would not seek reelection, as the $18,720 salary couldn’t support his family.

Republican F. Joseph Loeper, Drexel Hill, defeated, former Pennsylvania State House member, 163rd district, Joseph Ted Doyle, Alden who did not seek reelection in the House for the vacancy. 

Cited:

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

The Gettysburg Times (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) · Thursday, February 16, 1978 · Page 4. 

The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania) · Wednesday, March 08, 1978 · Page 3. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Wednesday, November 08, 1978 · Page 3.

Obituary information for John James Sweeney, Jr.

Sen John James Sweeney Jr. (1927-2026) - Find a Grave Memorial