Andrew Lewis (Pennsylvania politician)

Andrew James Lewis[3] (born February 6, 1987) is an American politician and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 105th District from 2019 to 2022.

Andrew Lewis
Lewis in 2019
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 105th district
In office
January 1, 2019[1]  November 30, 2022
Preceded byRon Marsico
Succeeded byJustin C. Fleming
Personal details
Born (1987-02-06) February 6, 1987
Leonardtown, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRanae
Children3
Residence(s)Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationThomas Edison State University (BA)
George Washington University (MA)
Temple University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service2005–2015 (active)
2015–2020 (PAARNG)
RankStaff Sergeant
Battles/warsIraq War
AwardsJoint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Service Badge, Combat Action Badge
Source: [[2][3]]

Early life and education

Lewis was born on February 6, 1987, in Leonardtown, Maryland. He graduated from Greenwood School District's Home Education Program in 2005. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Thomas Edison State University in 2012, Master of Arts in legislative affairs from George Washington University in 2013, and a Master of Business Administration from Temple University in 2015.[3]

Military service

After graduating from high school in 2005, Lewis enlisted in the United States Army. He was deployed as a scout during the 2007-2008 Iraq troop surge for fifteen months in Iraq, where he experienced combat. Following his stint in Iraq, Lewis was selected as a counterintelligence agent and was stationed in South Korea for two years, during which time he was given oversight of his team. He was later assigned to the White House Communications Agency. Lewis was honorably discharge from active duty in 2015 at the rank of staff sergeant.[3][2]

Political career

In 2016, Lewis ran for the Republican nomination for the 15th Pennsylvania Senate District, but lost to John DiSanto.[3][4]

Lewis was elected to represent the 105th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018,[3] replacing the retiring Ronald Marsico.[5] He was re-elected in 2020.[3]

In May 2020, Lewis tested positive for COVID-19. His staff was notified of their exposure, as were his Republican colleagues who had been in close contact. However, Lewis himself did not publicly reveal his diagnosis until after two weeks of quarantine.[6] Democrats in the House criticized the Republican caucus for not disclosing Lewis's diagnosis earlier, alleging Republican leadership purposely kept it secret.[7] The events surrounding Lewis's positive test and subsequent non-disclosure led to new COVID protocol in the state house.[8]

In 2020, Lewis was among 26 Pennsylvania House Republicans who called for the reversal of Joe Biden's certification as the winner of Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 United States presidential election, citing false claims of election irregularities.[9]

Following redistricting, Lewis was moved to the 104th District, a more Democratic district than the 105th. Because of this, Lewis chose not to seek re-election in 2022.[10]

Personal life

Lewis lives in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Ranae, and their three sons.[2]

References

  1. "SESSION OF 2019 203D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 1, 2019. pp. 2–3, 5. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  2. "About Andrew". PA State Rep. Andrew Lewis. PA House Republican Caucus. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. "Andrew Lewis". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  4. "Pa. Senate candidates spar over their backgrounds". WIFT. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  5. Marroni, Steve (May 16, 2018). "Republican state House candidate in Dauphin County wins with two thirds of vote". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  6. The Associated Press (May 28, 2020). "Pennsylvania lawmaker says he tested positive for coronavirus and self-isolated". WTAE-TV. Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  7. Gabriel, Trip (May 28, 2020). "A G.O.P. Lawmaker Had the Virus. Nobody Told Democrats Exposed to Him". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  8. Murphy, Jan (June 10, 2020). "Pa. House to require temperature checks if member or staffer tests positive for COVID-19". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  9. Murphy, Jan (November 27, 2020). "26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors". PennLIVE Patriot-News.
  10. Murphy, Jan (March 16, 2022). "Two-term incumbent lawmaker announces he will not seek re-election". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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