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Jennifer O'Mara

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Jennifer O'Mara
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 165th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded byAlex Charlton
Personal details
Born (1989-11-12) November 12, 1989 (age 35)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Bradford Bitting
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1
Residence(s)Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materWest Chester University (BA)
University of Pennsylvania (MLA)
OccupationEducator, Nonprofit Administrator
WebsiteOfficial Website
Campaign Website

Jennifer O’Mara (born November 12, 1989) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 165th Legislative District. The district includes parts of Springfield Township, Marple Township, Radnor Township and the borough of Morton.[1]

Early life and education

The oldest of three children, O’Mara was born in Southwest Philadelphia. She moved to Delaware County with her mother and siblings after her father, a Philadelphia firefighter, died by gun suicide. O’Mara cites the importance of her father's pension and public program such as CHIP in supporting her family while she was a teenager. She graduated from the Interboro High School in 2007 and became the first in her family to attend college.[2]

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a certificate in Secondary Education from West Chester University in 2011. In 2017, She received a Master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Pennsylvania, her master's thesis was centered around creative methods for childhood grief.[3][4]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Main article: Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, 2018 § Results by district

On November 19, 2017 (2017-11-19), O'Mara launched her campaign for the 165th District.[5] The district had never elected a Democratic representative before, and had previously been represented by one-term Republican Alex Charlton.

O'Mara was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Charlton defeated primary challenger Regina Scheerer with 65.72% of the Republican vote.[6] O'Mara upset Charlton in the 2018 general election, becoming the first Democrat and first woman to represent the district.[7]

2020

Main article: 2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election § Results by district

O'Mara ran for re-election in 2020.[8] She was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced Republican Robert Smythe Jr. in the general election. O'Mara retained her seat by defeating Smythe with 51.51% of the vote.[9]

Results

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 165, 2018[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennifer O'Mara 16,627 50.81%
Republican Alex Charlton (incumbent) 16,096 49.19%
Total votes 32,723 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 165, 2020[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennifer O'Mara (incumbent) 21,529 51.51%
Republican Robert Smythe Jr 20,222 48.38%
Write-in 43 0.10%
Total votes 41,794 100.00%
Democratic hold

Tenure

O'Mara was sworn in on January 1, 2019, and was elected first vice-chair for the Democratic Caucus's Southeast delegation.[12]

Committee assignments

  • Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
  • Transportation
  • Aging and Older Adult Services

References

  1. ^ Carey, Kathleen. "Springfield woman plans run against Charlton in 165th". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  2. ^ Bunch, Will. "Changing Trump's America starts with house-to-house combat to change Harrisburg, Jennifer O'Mara". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  3. ^ Curtis, Lucy. "Penn grad Jennifer O'Mara joins record number of women running for office in 2018". Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  4. ^ "Alumni Stories | Penn LPS".
  5. ^ Carey, Kathleen (19 November 2017). "Springfield woman plans run against Charlton in 165th". Delaware County News Network. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  6. ^ "2018 Primary Election Returns". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  7. ^ Carey, Kathleen (7 November 2018). "Dem O'Mara edges incumbent Charlton in 165th". Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  8. ^ Bennett, Max (2020-03-10). "Jennifer O'Mara Seeking To Keep 165th District Seat". Springfield, PA Patch. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  9. ^ Rose, Alex (2020-11-04). "UPDATE: Results posted in state House races". Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  10. ^ "2018 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  11. ^ "2020 Election Results". Delaware County, Pennsylvania. November 24, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  12. ^ "O'Mara elected to serve in key leadership roles on powerful PA House delegation". PA House Democrats. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 165th district
2019–present 		Incumbent
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