Kerry Benninghoff | |
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Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
In office June 22, 2020 –December 1, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Bryan Cutler |
Succeeded by | Joanna McClinton |
Majority Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
In office December 1,2018 –June 22,2020 | |
Leader | Bryan Cutler |
Preceded by | Bryan Cutler |
Succeeded by | Donna Oberlander |
Member of the PennsylvaniaHouseofRepresentatives from the 171st district | |
Assumed office January 7,1997 | |
Preceded by | Ruth C. Rudy |
Personal details | |
Born | Lebanon,Pennsylvania,U.S. | January 14,1962
Political party | Republican |
Children | 5 |
Education | Pennsylvania State University |
Website | Official website |
Kerry Albert Benninghoff (born January 14,1962) is an American politician and coroner serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 171st district. Elected in November 1996,he assumed office on January 7,1997.
Benninghoff was born in Lebanon,Pennsylvania on January 14,1962. [1] He graduated from State College Area High School and attended Pennsylvania State University from 1980 to 1981. [2] He is also a graduate of the Certified Coroners Training Program of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. [3]
While working as an orderly at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College,Pennsylvania,Benninghoff was appointed as deputy coroner of Centre County,Pennsylvania in 1985. [4] In 1991,when Coroner Robert Neff retired,Benninghoff was elected to the office. He was re-elected in 1995.
In 1996,when Representative Ruth Rudy retired,Benninghoff declared his candidacy to succeed her. He defeated Democrat Keith Bierly in the general election that year and has been re-elected to each succeeding session of the House. [5]
In 2018,after being re-elected to the House,Benninghoff was elected by members of the Republican Caucus to serve as House majority whip. [6]
On June 22,2020,Bennighoff was elected House majority leader. As majority leader,Benninghoff is the second highest-ranking Republican in the chamber behind Speaker Bryan Cutler. [7]
Benninghoff is against legalizing adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania. He has described it as a gateway drug and cites the opioid epidemic as a concern. [8]
For the 2025-2026 Session,Benninghoff sits on the following committees: [9]
Benninghoff lives in Bellefonte,Pennsylvania. He has five children. [2]