James John Rhoades (December 5, 1941 – October 18, 2008) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 29th District from 1980 until his death.[1][2]
James J. Rhoades | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 29th district | |
| In office January 5, 1981 – October 18, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Gurzenda |
| Succeeded by | Dave Argall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James John Rhoades December 5, 1941 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2008 (aged 66) Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Edith Holland |
| Children | 3, including Mike |
| Relatives | Kevin C. Rhoades (cousin) |
| Residence | Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Lehigh University, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Educator, State Senator |
| Signature |  |
Biography
editRhoades graduated from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in education and was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.[3] He later earned a master's degree in education from Lehigh University in 1966. After graduation, Rhoades started as a teacher and football coach at the Pottsville Area School District and Mahanoy Area School District.
After seven years of teaching, Rhoades was appointed as the principal of the Mahanoy Area Intermediate School. He served as principal for ten years before his election to the State Senate.[4]
Rhoades died in the hospital on October 18, 2008, a day after being injured in an automobile accident near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, in Monroe County. He had been en route to a Pleasant Valley High School football game. His wife, Mary, was also injured in the crash. Thomas Senavitis was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and causing the accident with a blood alcohol level of 0.355%, over 4 times the Pennsylvania state limit of 0.08%.[5][6] Senavitis was convicted of DUI but acquitted on charges of vehicular homicide in March, 2010.[7]
Career
editRhoades was defeated for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1978.[8] However, in 1980, he won a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate, defeating Democratic incumbent Joseph Gurzenda.
As a former educator, Rhoades had an interest in education issues and ultimately became Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. As chairman of that committee, Rhoades had influence over almost all education related laws, including the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.[9]
He also served on the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Environmental Resources and Energy committees.[2]
At the time of Rhoades' death, he was running for his eighth term in the State Senate, making him second behind Stewart Greenleaf on the list of the longest serving senators.[8] With absentee ballots having already been mailed in the state, the county could not remove Rhoades' name from the ballot.[10]
Rhoades was posthumously re-elected with 64% of the vote, meaning that a special election would be held for his seat.[11] In a special election held on March 3, 2009, Republican state Representative Dave Argall was elected to Rhoades' seat over his Democratic opponent, Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Steven Lukach, by a margin of 62% to 38%.[12]
Family
editRhoades was the cousin of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, the former bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg[13] and the current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. His son Mike is the current head coach of the Penn State men's basketball team.
References
edit- ^ Pennsylvania State Senator Dies After Car Crash Archived 2008-10-20 at the Wayback Machine, kdka.com; accessed December 18, 2015.
- ^ a b Marc Levy."Pennsylvania state senator dies after car crash", philly.com; October 18, 2008.
- ^ "Alumni Notes" (PDF). The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol. 69, no. 1. Spring 1981. p. 4.
- ^ "James Rhoades Profile". SenatorRhoades.com. Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus. 2008. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ "Trial begins for driver in death of Pennsylvania Sen. James Rhoades". 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Jury: Senavitis did not cause crash that killed Sen. Rhoades".
- ^ "Driver acquitted of vehicular homicide in crash that killed Pennsylvania Sen. James Rhoades". 16 March 2010.
- ^ a b "Profile Page". Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ Andrew C. Martel and Christopher Baxter (2008-10-19). "Friends mourn senator killed in accident". Allentown Morning Call. Retrieved 2008-10-19.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Ben Wolfgang (October 19, 2008). "Rhoades likely to remain on ballot; special election could be held soon after". Republican & Herald.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Dustin Pangonis (2008-11-05). "Four Monroe townships will head back to the polls to fill Rhoades' seat". Pocono Record. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ Argall victory gives Republicans new pride[permanent dead link], mcall.com; accessed December 18, 2015.
- ^ "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Legislative Journal" (PDF). Pennsylvania General Assembly. 2005-01-04. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
External links
edit- Pennsylvania Senate - James J. Rhoades official PA Senate website (archived)
- Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus - Senator James J. Rhoades at the Wayback Machine (archive index) official Party website (archived)
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Follow the Money - James J. Rhoades