Peter Schwartzkopf | |
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Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
In office January 8, 2013 –June 30, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Robert Gilligan |
Succeeded by | Valerie Longhurst |
Majority Leader of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
In office January 13,2009 –January 8,2013 | |
Preceded by | Richard C. Cathcart |
Succeeded by | Valerie Longhurst |
Member of the DelawareHouseofRepresentatives from the 14th district | |
In office November 6,2002 –November 5,2024 | |
Preceded by | Richard DiLiberto |
Succeeded by | Claire Snyder-Hall |
Personal details | |
Born | Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S. | January 15,1955
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Delaware Technical Community College Wilmington University (BA) |
Peter C. Schwartzkopf (born January 15,1955) is an American politician and former Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party,he represented the 14th district from 2002 to 2024. [1] His district covers Rehoboth Beach,Lewes,and Dewey Beach in Sussex County. Prior to his election to the House,he was a state police officer. [2]
He served as Majority Leader of the House from 2009 to 2013 before being elected Speaker of the House in 2013. [1] He stepped down from his role as speaker in June 2024 and was replaced by Valerie Longhurst. [3]
In 2023,Schwartzkopf announced his intention to not seek reelection in the following year. [3] He subsequently endorsed former state auditor Kathy McGuiness to take his seat representing the 14th district. [4] Schwartzkopf is a longtime friend of McGuiness,who was forced to resign as auditor in 2022 after her criminal conviction for misdemeanor conflict of interest,a charge which Schwartkopf described as "bogus" in his endorsement. [2] [4] McGuiness subsequently lost the primary election to Claire Snyder-Hall,who was elected to fill the seat in the general election. [5]