James J. Rhoades

For the English poet, see James Rhoades.

James J. Rhoades
150px
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 29th district
In office January 5, 1981 – October 18, 2008
Preceded by	Joseph Gurzenda
Succeeded by	Dave Argall
Personal details
Born	(1941-12-05)December 5, 1941 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mary Edith Holland
Residence	Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	Lehigh University, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Profession	Educator, State Senator
Signature	James J. Rhoades's signature

James J. Rhoades (December 5, 1941 – October 18, 2008) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 29th District from 1980 until his death.

Rhoades was the cousin of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, the former Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and the current Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

Biography

Rhoades graduated from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in education and later earned a master's degree in education from Lehigh University in 1966. After graduation, Rhoades started as a teacher and football coach at the Pottsville and Mahanoy City High School.

After seven years of teaching, Rhoades was appointed as the principal of the Mahanoy Area Middle School. He served as principal for ten years before his election to the State Senate.

Rhoades died in the hospital on October 18, 2008, a day after being injured in an automobile accident near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, in Monroe County. He had been en route to a Pleasant Valley High School football game. His wife, Mary, was also injured in the crash. Thomas Senavitis was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and causing the accident with a blood alcohol level of 0.355%, over 4 times the Pennsylvania state limit of 0.08%.

Career

Rhoades was defeated for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1978. However, in 1980, he won a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate, defeating Democratic incumbent Joseph Gurzenda.

As a former educator, Rhoades had an interest in education issues and ultimately became Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. As chairman of that committee, Rhoades had influence over almost all education related laws, including the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.

He also served on the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Environmental Resources and Energy committees.

At the time of Rhoades' death, he was running for his eighth term in the State Senate, making him second behind Stewart Greenleaf on the list of the longest serving senators. With absentee ballots having already been mailed in the state, the county could not remove Rhoades' name from the ballot.

Rhoades was posthumously re-elected with 64% of the vote, meaning that a special election would be held for his seat. In a special election held on March 3, 2009, Republican state Representative Dave Argall was elected to Rhoades' seat over his Democratic opponent, Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Steven Lukach, by a margin of 62% to 38%.

External links

• Pennsylvania Senate - James J. Rhoades official PA Senate website (archived)
• Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus - Senator James J. Rhoades at the Wayback Machine official Party website (archived)
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Follow the Money - James J. Rhoades
  • 2008 2006 2004 2000 campaign contributions