James Gallen Explained

James Gallen
State House:Pennsylvania
District:128th
Term Start:January 7, 1969
Term End:November 30, 1992
Predecessor:District Created
Successor:Sam Rohrer
State House2:Pennsylvania
District2:Berks County
Term Start2:January 5, 1965
Term End2:November 30, 1968
Birth Date:15 August 1928
Birth Place:Reading, Pennsylvania[1]
Death Place:Shillington, Pennsylvania
Party:Republican
Spouse:Sara[2]
Children:Eight

James J. "Jim" Gallen (August 15, 1928 – April 12, 2012) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[3]

Formative years

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 1928, Jim Gallen earned his Bachelor of Science from Villanova University, and served in the United States Army. Professionally, he was employed as an insurance agent.[4]

Political career

Gallen represented Berks County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for more than twenty-seven years, first as one of the county's at-large representatives, then as the member for the 128th District seat created in 1968, following an overhaul of the State Constitution which reapportioned seats based upon numbered districts. He announced his retirement from the State House in 1992, at which time he unsuccessfully sought the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Gus Yatron.[5] Gallen was defeated in the Republican primary by Pottsville attorney John Jones,[6] who went on to lose the general election to Schuylkill County Sheriff Tim Holden.[7]

Gallen died on April 12, 2012, in his Shillington, Pennsylvania, home of complications stemming from appendicitis, and was buried at Shillington's Fairview Cemetery.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: James Gallen. 9780818200977. Pennsylvania. 1987.
  2. News: James Gallen Will Seek Seventh Term in House. November 25, 2011. The Reading Eagle. January 10, 1976.
  3. Web site: Cox . Harold . House Members G . Wilkes University . Wilkes University Election Statistics Project.
  4. "James J. Gallen" (biography). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania House of Representatives, retrieved online July 6, 2019.
  5. News: Ayers. Chuck. 2 More Candidates Intend to Seek 6th District Bids. https://archive.today/20130201152651/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/92001089.html?dids=92001089:92001089&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+18,+1992&author=CHUCK+AYERS,+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=2+MORE+CANDIDATES+INTEND+TO+SEEK+6TH+DISTRICT+BIDS&pqatl=google. dead. February 1, 2013. November 24, 2011. The Morning Call. March 18, 1992.
  6. News: Abrams. Mark. Parties' disunity is blamed for loss of 6th House seat. November 24, 2011. The Reading Eagle. April 30, 1992.
  7. "James J. Gallen," (biography), Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
  8. "James J. Gallen," (biography), Pennsylvania House of Representatives.