Senator Mensch Takes Over 24th District Senate Seat

Sworn-in during Monday ceremony in State Capitol

Bob Mensch today (Monday, October 19) wrapped up his career in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and started his new job as the state Senator representing the nearly 240,000 residents in Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties living in the 24th Senatorial District.

Shortly after 3 p.m., Senator Mensch was sworn into office during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber. He replaces Robert Wonderling, who resigned from the Senate at the end of July to become the CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

"I look forward to continuing the work I started as a state Representative to develop legislation and policies that improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians and promote economic development and create new jobs," Senator Mensch said. "We are in a crucial time in the Commonwealth as we work to restore our economy. We must work to keep young people here. It is essential that we take whatever steps necessary to make Pennsylvania a good place to live, work and raise a family."

As a member of the House of Representatives, Senator Mensch authored legislation amending the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law, along with bills focused on health care quality improvement. In his continued pursuit of innovative solutions to increasing energy costs and consumption, he developed legislation that created incentives for residents to purchase more energy efficient products for use in their homes and small businesses.

Senator Mensch was twice elected to serve as the state Representative for the 147th District. Previously, he served as a Marlborough Township Supervisor in 2004 and 2005 and was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in January 2006. He also served as Chairman of the Upper Perkiomen Regional Planning Commission and as a member of the Board of Directors, and Past President and Vice-President of the Upper Perkiomen Ambulance Association.

Senator Mensch is a founding member of the Greater Upper Perkiomen Valley Economic Development Project (PERK-UP), a public-private collaboration to develop the economic potential of the Greater Upper Perkiomen Valley.

In 2002, Senator Mensch helped establish the Unami Watershed Conservancy. Today, the Conservancy uses its newly renovated Nature Center to conduct an environmental education series during the summer months; and the Center provides a fine location for stream fishing.

A native of Pennsburg and resident of Marlborough Township since 1975, Bob is married to his wife of 38 years, JoAnn, who together have raised two children, and now enjoy being grandparents to 14-year-old Zackary. He holds a business degree from Valley Forge Military College.

His Harrisburg Office is in Room 459 on the Senate side of Capitol complex and can be reached at (717) 787-3110. Senator Mensch’s Harrisburg mailing address is Senate Box 203024, Harrisburg. PA 17120-3024.