Ed Rendell | |
---|---|
45th Governor of Pennsylvania | |
In office January 21, 2003 – January 18, 2011 |
|
Lieutenant |
Catherine Baker Knoll Joe Scarnati |
Preceded by | Mark Schweiker |
Succeeded by | Tom Corbett |
General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee | |
In office September 25, 1999 – February 3, 2001 Serving with Joe Andrew |
|
Preceded by | Roy Romer |
Succeeded by | Terry McAuliffe (Chairman) |
96th Mayor of Philadelphia | |
In office January 6, 1992 – January 3, 2000 |
|
Preceded by | Wilson Goode |
Succeeded by | John Street |
21st District Attorney of Philadelphia | |
In office January 2, 1978 – January 6, 1986 |
|
Preceded by | Emmett Fitzpatrick |
Succeeded by | Ronald Castille |
Chairperson of the National Governors Association | |
In office July 14, 2008 – July 20, 2009 |
|
Preceded by | Tim Pawlenty |
Succeeded by | Jim Douglas |
Personal details | |
Born |
Edward Gene Rendell January 5, 1944 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Marjorie Osterlund (1971–) (separated in 2011 and filed for divorce in 2016) |
Children | Jesse |
Alma mater |
University of Pennsylvania Villanova University |
Religion | Judaism |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1968–1974 |
Rank | Second Lieutenant |
Unit | United States Army Reserve |
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell (/rɛnˈdɛl/; born January 5, 1944) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania, from 2003 to 2011. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, served as mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000.
Born in New York City to a Jewish family from Russia, Rendell moved to Pennsylvania for college, completing his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. Rendell was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia for two terms from 1978 through 1986. He developed a reputation for being tough on crime, fueling a run for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1986, in which Rendell lost in the primary.
Elected Mayor of Philadelphia in 1991, Rendell inherited a $250 million deficit and the lowest credit rating of any major city in the country; as mayor, he balanced Philadelphia's budget and generated a budget surplus while cutting business and wage taxes and dramatically improving services to Philadelphia neighborhoods. The New York Times stated that Philadelphia under Rendell "has made one of the most stunning turnarounds in recent urban history." Nicknamed "America's Mayor" by Al Gore, Rendell served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 presidential election.