Jeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975. In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries. It was during that time that the Philippines experienced the People Power Revolution, which Coleman credits for inspiring his "passion for public service." He graduated from Orchard Hills Christian Academy in 1994. He attended Liberty University, earning his degree in Government in 2001. Prior to elective office, Coleman worked in a grocery store, waited tables, and was as radio news anchor in college. He also worked as an intern for Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and was elected to Apollo Borough Council.
In the 2000 election for the 60th legislative district, the 25-year-old Coleman defeated long-time Democratic incumbent Tim Pesci in spite of the district being 70% Democratic. Coleman's under-funded campaign relied on an aggressive "door-to-door" campaign with hundreds of campaign volunteers. Bill DeWeese, the House Democratic Leader, said that Pesci had run a "condescending" race against Coleman, calling his opponent "Jeffy" and describing Coleman's campaign volunteers as "the Children from the Corn," referring to the horror film.
In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, he was named the "Most Ambitious"
Coleman surprised political observes by retiring prior to the 2004 elections to host a Harrisburg-based political radio program. In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania, noting his success as a political consultant.
