Jennifer Mann

A lifelong Allentown resident, Mann graduated from William Allen High School in 1987. She then graduated from Lehigh University with a B.A. in Economics and Government in 1991.[2] She owned and operated a wireless communications firm before seeking elected office. She had had a hand in politics up to that point by serving on the Lehigh County Democratic Committee.[3]

In 1998, Mann ran for the House of Representatives, seeking the seat that was being vacated by Charlie Dent when Dent ran for the State Senate. Mann first defeated Emma Tropiano in a primary before beating Allentown City Councilman and former Lehigh County Executive David Bausch in the general election. Mann became the first Democrat to represent the 132nd since Jack Pressman in 1990.[2]

Mann has twice competed in elections for a different position. In 2005, she ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate in a special election, seeking to fill the vacancy created by Charlie Dent's election to Congress. Mann lost that race to then State Representative Pat Browne. In 2008, Mann sought the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer. She lost that race to Robert McCord.[4]

During her tenure in the legislature, she served on the House Finance, Environmental Resources and Energy, Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Transportation committees. She was co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition, the Community College Caucus and the Arthritis Caucus, and served on the House Rules Committee. In 2003, the political website PoliticsPA named her as a possible successor to House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese.[5] Mann served in Pennsylvania House leadership as the Majority Caucus Secretary. She is only the third woman to have served in a House Democratic leadership position since the Pennsylvania legislature was formed. In 2012, Mann opted not to seek reelection. She has reentered the private sector, starting a consulting firm based in Allentown.

• Legislative Website
• PA House profile
• Appearances on C-SPAN

• Profile at Vote Smart