Eugene Porterfield

Eugene 'Gene' E. Porterfield
Senator Porterfield in 2000
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 39th district
In office January 3, 1989 – November 30, 1996
Preceded by	James Kelley
Succeeded by	Allen Kukovich
Personal details
Born	November 3, 1946 Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democrat, Republican
Spouse(s)	Cindy
Children	4: Todd, Lisa, Beth, Camdon
Residence	Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	Connellsville High School, Westmoreland County Community College
Occupation	President, Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator (CPE), Evaluator Services and Technology

Eugene E. Porterfield is a former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving from 1989 to 1996, and a businessman.

Eugene "Gene" Porterfield was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania (Fayette County) on November 3, 1946. One of two children, Porterfield attended various public school systems in southwestern PA, and graduated Connellsville High School in 1964. During high school, he worked numerous jobs, including a bowling alley and as a gas station attendant and mechanic. He then continued his work as a mechanic, an auto parts sales specialist and factory worker before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

Porterfield was stationed with the 99th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM), but never saw action in the Vietnam War. He served with B Company March, 1966-1969 to rank as Seargeant. 1969 he enlisted to OCS, Ft. Benning, GA. Returned to 99th ARCOM August, 1969-1972 2nd Lt. with A Company. In the last year of his service, he served with the Brownsville NCO Training Company. He was honorably discharged, as an commissioned officer, in August 1972.

After his discharge from active military service, Porterfield started a professional career as a real estate appraiser. He later acquired the Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator (CPE) license. He moved to Greensburg in 1979. He married Cindy Payne of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1988 and he ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate's 39th District as a Democrat. He faced the Honorable James Kelley (D) in the primary and won by a small margin. In the fall of 1988, Porterfield defeated Robert Keibler (R) to secure the senate seat. He supported former Pittsburgh Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski in his unsuccessful campaign for Westmoreland County Commissioner in 1987.

He took office in 1989. His district encompasses Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and southern parts of Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was hailed by local unions for his hard-line fight on jobs in the local economy. He became close friends with Governor Bob Casey, Sr. during his time in office, and made a large effort to work across party lines to accomplish tasks for his constituents. His chaired the Pennsylvania Game Commission and co-sponsoredthe Pennsylvania version of child car restraint bill, called the Pennsylvania Child Passenger Protection Act. He is also directly credited for bringing in the now-defunct Sony plant to New Stanton, Pennsylvania, and securing key construction grants for the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.