John Perzel
| John Perzel | |
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| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 172nd district |
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In office January 2, 1979 – November 30, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Gleeson |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Boyle |
| 136th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
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In office March 29, 2003 – November 30, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Matt Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Dennis O'Brien |
| Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives |
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In office January 5, 1995 – January 7, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Matt Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Sam Smith |
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Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives |
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In office January 3, 1989 – November 30, 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Hayes |
| Succeeded by | John Barley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 7, 1950 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Sheryl Stokes |
| Residence | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Religion | Protestant |
John Michael Perzel (born January 7, 1950) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party. Perzel represented 172nd Legislative District (Northeast Philadelphia) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1978 until 2010. From April 2003 to January 2007, he served as House Speaker. He lost his bid for re-election to Democrat Kevin Boyle in 2010. Perzel was convicted in August, 2011, of a variety of corruption related charges and, in March, 2012, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Perzel is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 from Troy State University in Alabama. After graduating from university, he returned to Philadelphia and became a waiter. Immediately before his political career, he was maitre d' at Pavio's Restaurant in Somerton, a section of Northeast Philadelphia.
Perzel was noticed by Philadelphia Republican boss Billy Meehan, who selected him to be a GOP committeeman in 1972.
In 1976, after graduating from Troy State University, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the House. In 1978, he made a successful campaign for the House, focusing on the poor attendance record of the Democratic incumbent, Francis Gleeson. Over the years, he rose in seniority in the House, holding the offices of Republican Whip, Policy Committee Chairman and Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. He was elected Majority Leader in 1994.
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