Jeff Coleman

Jeff Coleman (born July 4, 1975) is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975.[3] In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries.[3] It was during that time that the Philippines experienced the People Power Revolution, which Coleman credits for inspiring his "passion for public service."[3] He graduated from Orchard Hills Christian Academy in 1994.[4] He attended Liberty University, earning his degree in Government in 2001.[4] Prior to elective office, Coleman worked in a grocery store, waited tables, and was as radio news anchor in college.[3] He also worked as an intern for Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and was elected to Apollo Borough Council.[3][5]

In the 2000 election for the 60th legislative district, the 25-year-old Coleman defeated long-time Democratic incumbent Tim Pesci in spite of the district being 70% Democratic.[6][7] Coleman's under-funded campaign relied on an aggressive "door-to-door" campaign with hundreds of campaign volunteers.[3] Bill DeWeese, the House Democratic Leader, said that Pesci had run a "condescending" race against Coleman, calling his opponent "Jeffy" and describing Coleman's campaign volunteers as "the Children from the Corn," referring to the horror film.[6][8]

In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, he was named the "Most Ambitious"[9]

Coleman surprised political observes by retiring prior to the 2004 elections to host a Harrisburg-based political radio program.[10] In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania, noting his success as a political consultant.[11]