Dawn Keefer Explained

Dawn Keefer
State House:Pennsylvania
District:92nd
Term Start:January 3, 2017[1]
Predecessor:Mike Regan
Birth Date:6 October 1972
Birth Place:Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Children:3
Spouse:Tom
Party:Republican
Residence:Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Dawn Wetzel Keefer (born October 6, 1972) is an American politician from Pennsylvania, currently representing the 92nd District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Keefer was born on October 6, 1972, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Gettysburg Area High School in 1991. In 1995, Keefer earned a BA degree in government and politics from George Mason University.

Career

Keefer has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 92nd district, since 2017. She was initially elected in 2016 and won reelection in 2018, 2020, and 2022.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Keefer supported efforts to overturn the election results in Pennsylvania, advocating for an audit of the election and an investigation into claims of election fraud despite lacking evidence.[6] [7] She was one of 26 Pennsylvania House Republicans who signed a letter requesting the disqualification of Pennsylvania's electoral votes.[8] Keefer was also one of several lawmakers in contact with Congressman Scott Perry following the election; Perry was one of the chief architects of attempts to reverse the election results to favor then-President Donald Trump.[9]

Keefer is the inaugural chairwoman of the Pennsylvania State Freedom Caucus.[10] Under her leadership, the caucus called for Pennsylvania libraries to withdraw from the American Library Association after its president, Emily Drabinski, referred to herself as a "Marxist" in a social media post.[11] The caucus also sued the administration of Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024 after he implemented automatic voter registration in the state, claiming it to be executive overreach.[12]

On January 11, 2024, Keefer announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 31st district following the retirement of Mike Regan.[13]

Political positions

Keefer is frequently described as a fiscal conservative and an advocate for small government due to her efforts to cut back and restrict government spending.[14] [15] [16] She was recognized by the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) for her high score on their Award for Conservative Excellence.[17]

In 2021, Keefer and four other Republicans in the State House sponsored a bill that would have banned transgender athletes participating in the sport of their gender identity.[18]

Keefer was heavily critical of Governor Tom Wolf's efforts to mitigate the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic, chastising him for shuttering businesses to stop the spread of the disease and causing the state's subsequent growth of unemployment. She supported the immediate end of Wolf's public health mandates in 2022.

Personal life

Keefer's husband is Tom. They have three children and live in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SESSION OF 2017 201ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1 . Pennsylvania General Assembly . 24 November 2022 . 2, 4–5 . Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal . January 3, 2017.
  2. Web site: Keefer wins second term in 92nd District House seat . yorkdispatch.com . Rebecca . Klar . November 7, 2018 . July 24, 2019.
  3. Web site: Dawn Keefer . Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives . 10 December 2022.
  4. Web site: York County business woman Dawn Keefer announces bid for Pa. legislature . PennLive.com . 2015-12-15 . 2017-12-28.
  5. News: Urie . Daniel . York County Republican incumbent wins 4th term in Pa. state house . 14 January 2023 . PennLIVE Patriot-News . Advance Local Media LLC . November 9, 2022.
  6. News: Enright . Matt . Rep. Dawn Keefer announces bid for Sen. Mike Regan's seat . 29 January 2024 . York Dispatch . January 11, 2024.
  7. News: O'Laughlin . Lindsey . Keefer, other lawmakers call for investigation into election . 2 July 2024 . York Dispatch . November 10, 2020.
  8. News: Murphy . Jan . Jan Murphy . 26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors . . 27 November 2020 . en.
  9. News: Enright . Matt . Unsealed documents reveal more on Perry's involvement in 2020 election, references other York County lawmakers . 29 January 2024 . York Dispatch . November 30, 2023.
  10. News: Enright . Matt . What can we expect from Pa.'s new House Freedom Caucus? . 26 January 2024 . York Dispatch . December 8, 2022.
  11. News: Wasserstein . Ben . Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus calls for libraries to leave the American Library Association . 26 January 2024 . 90.5 WESA . July 27, 2023.
  12. News: Murphy . Jan . Pa. lawmakers file lawsuit against Shapiro, Biden over election-related orders . 26 January 2024 . PennLive Patriot-News . January 25, 2024.
  13. Web site: 2024-01-11 . Dawn Keefer running for Pennsylvania State Senate . 2024-01-11 . ABC27 . en-US.
  14. News: Garcia . Bianca . PA House District 92: Dawn Keefer (R) vs. Doug Ross (D) . 2 July 2024 . FOX43 . October 23, 2020.
  15. News: Murphy . Jan . Abortion, school choice among issues divide incumbent, challenger in Pa. House race . 26 January 2024 . PennLive Patriot-News . Advance Local Media LLC . November 3, 2022.
  16. News: Johnson . Kayleigh . Representative Dawn Keefer will run for Pennsylvania Senate . 26 January 2024 . Fox43 WPMT . January 11, 2024.
  17. News: DeJesus . Ivey . Head of Pa. House Freedom Caucus vies for open state Senate seat . 26 January 2024 . PennLive Patriot-News . Advance Local Media LLC . January 11, 2024.
  18. News: Hullinger . Logan . Keefer bill would ban trans girls, women from competing in sports based on gender identity . 3 July 2024 . York Dispatch . April 6, 2021.
  19. Web site: About Dawn . PA State Rep. Dawn Keefer . PA House Republican Caucus . 10 December 2022.