Tarah Toohil
| Tarah Toohil | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 116th district |
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Assumed office January 4, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Todd Eachus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1, 1979 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Butler Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater |
Northeastern University Penn State University Dickinson College |
| Occupation | Attorney, politician |
Tarah C. Toohil (born October 1, 1979) is an American attorney and politician, and member of the Republican Party. In 2010, she was elected to represent the 116th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Toohil defeated then-House Majority Leader Todd Eachus to gain the seat. She also is a founder of "Brandon's Forever Home," a prominent Pennsylvania charity.
In late 2012, an unknown person posted a photo montage on YouTube, entitled "Pizza Party," showing Toohil at a party ten years earlier. Drug paraphernalia and what appeared to be marijuana is shown on the coffee table in front of her. She is shown seemingly about to kiss another young woman. The anonymous poster later explained their reason for posting the video, stating, "No one should fault her for experimenting with marijuana in her youth. The issue is not what she has done in the past, but what she does now. As a legislator, she opposes decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, and the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. These photos depict a public official who promotes policies not informed BY her life experience, but in spite of it. This video was not made on behalf of any campaign or political party, it was made on behalf of the millions of non-violent drug offenders in this country who currently occupy our prisons, it was made on behalf of all those who have had their lives destroyed for casual marijuana use, and it was made on behalf of those currently fighting a losing battle with drug addiction who find themselves in handcuffs instead of in treatment."
Just before the 2012 Election Day, another anonymous video surfaced, entitled "Anonymous Message to PA State Rep. Tarah Toohil", urging Toohil to switch her stance on marijuana laws. The video was removed for a terms of service violation. The voice-over in the video stated, "Everyone has secrets, please do not give us a reason to expose yours," and urged her to support marijuana decriminalization. At the request of House Republicans, Pennsylvania state police have begun an investigation as to the origin of both videos.
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