Ed Rendell
Edward G. Rendell, (b. January 5 1944), a Democrat, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002. His term of office began January 21, 2003. Some experts and pundits initially considered Rendell to be a possible running mate for presidential candidate John Kerry in the 2004 election.
He was born in New York City, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and a Juris Doctor from Villanova Law School in 1968. He is an Army veteran.
Rendell served as district attorney of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1985, and as mayor from 1992-1999, before running for governor in 2002. As mayor, he helped improve neighborhoods and balance the city's budget. These cost-cutting policies brought him strong opposition from unions; however, he was re-elected in 1995 with 80% of the vote. He was named "America's Mayor" by Al Gore.
He chaired the Democratic National Committee during the presidential election of 2000.
Among the Mayor's notable accomplishments, Mr. Rendell cut a $250 million deficit; balanced Philly's budget and started five consecutive budget surpluses; reduced business and wage taxes for four consecutive years; implemented new revenue-generating initiatives, and dramatically improved services to the City's neighborhoods. The New York Times referred to Rendell's job as mayor as "the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history."
Despite Rendell's success as Mayor, he has failed to take positive action to improve Philadelphia schools. Rendell's critics cite his close ties to the school district's massive administrative structure and the teacher's union which are major contributors to the political machine that elected Rendell as Mayor and Governor.
In 2000 he was succeeded by John F. Street.
Rendell was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 45th Governor on January 21, 2003. The first piece of legislation Rendell initiated was The Plan for a New Pennsylvania. The Plan gives one and a half billion dollars back to the taxpayers, giving homeowners significant tax relief, an average of 30% across the state, and it also lessens the financial burden faced by many older Pennsylvanians and others who live on fixed incomes. It closes the resource gap between school districts while at the same time investing up to $1.25 billion annually within three years to fund proven programs that boost student achievement.
His wife, Marjorie Rendell, is a federal judge. They married July 10, 1971. They have one son, Jesse, a 2002 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and bassist for the southern New Jersey band Don't Look Down.