Dawn Keefer
Dawn Keefer | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 92nd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2017[1] | |
Preceded by | Mike Regan |
Personal details | |
Born | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. | October 6, 1972
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Tom |
Children | 3 |
Residence(s) | Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Dawn Wetzel Keefer[2] (born October 6, 1972) is an American politician from Pennsylvania, currently representing the 92nd District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Early life and education[edit]
Keefer was born on October 6, 1972, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Gettysburg Area High School in 1991.[2] In 1995, Keefer earned a BA degree in government and politics from George Mason University.[2]
Career[edit]
Keefer has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 92nd district, since 2017. She was initially elected in 2016 and won reelection in 2018, 2020, and 2022.[3][2][4][5]
Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Keefer supported efforts to overturn the election results in Pennsylvania, advocating for an audit of the election.[6] She was one of 26 Pennsylvania House Republicans who signed a letter requesting the disqualification of Pennsylvania's electoral votes.[7] Keefer was also one of several lawmakers in contact with Congressman Scott Perry following the election; Perry was one of the chief architects of attempts to reverse the election results to favor then-President Donald Trump.[8]
Keefer is the inaugural chairwoman of the Pennsylvania State Freedom Caucus.[9] Under her leadership, the caucus called for Pennsylvania libraries to withdraw from the American Library Association after its president, Emily Drabinski, referred to herself as a "Marxist" in a social media post.[10] The caucus also sued the administration of Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024 after he implemented automatic voter registration in the state, claiming it to be executive overreach.[11]
On January 11, 2024, Keefer announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 31st district following the retirement of Mike Regan.[12]
Political positions[edit]
Keefer is frequently described as a small government conservative due to her efforts to cut back and restrict government spending.[13][14] She was recognized by the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) for her high score on their Award for Conservative Excellence.[15]
Personal life[edit]
Keefer's husband is Tom. They have three children and live in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ "SESSION OF 2017 201ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania General Assembly. January 3, 2017. pp. 2, 4–5. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Dawn Keefer". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Klar, Rebecca (November 7, 2018). "Keefer wins second term in 92nd District House seat". yorkdispatch.com. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ "York County business woman Dawn Keefer announces bid for Pa. legislature". PennLive.com. 2015-12-15. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
- ^ Urie, Daniel (November 9, 2022). "York County Republican incumbent wins 4th term in Pa. state house". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ Enright, Matt (January 11, 2024). "Rep. Dawn Keefer announces bid for Sen. Mike Regan's seat". York Dispatch. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (27 November 2020). "26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors". PennLIVE Patriot-News.
- ^ Enright, Matt (November 30, 2023). "Unsealed documents reveal more on Perry's involvement in 2020 election, references other York County lawmakers". York Dispatch. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Enright, Matt (December 8, 2022). "What can we expect from Pa.'s new House Freedom Caucus?". York Dispatch. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Wasserstein, Ben (July 27, 2023). "Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus calls for libraries to leave the American Library Association". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (January 25, 2024). "Pa. lawmakers file lawsuit against Shapiro, Biden over election-related orders". PennLive Patriot-News. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Dawn Keefer running for Pennsylvania State Senate". ABC27. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (November 3, 2022). "Abortion, school choice among issues divide incumbent, challenger in Pa. House race". PennLive Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Kayleigh (January 11, 2024). "Representative Dawn Keefer will run for Pennsylvania Senate". Fox43 WPMT. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ DeJesus, Ivey (January 11, 2024). "Head of Pa. House Freedom Caucus vies for open state Senate seat". PennLive Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "About Dawn". PA State Rep. Dawn Keefer. PA House Republican Caucus. Retrieved 10 December 2022.