| Jennifer O'Mara | |
| State House: | Pennsylvania |
| District: | 165th |
| Predecessor: | Alex Charlton |
| Birth Date: | 12 November 1989 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Alma Mater: | West Chester University (BA) University of Pennsylvania(MLA) |
| Occupation: | Educator, Nonprofit Administrator |
| Children: | 1 |
| Residence: | Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Website: | |
Jennifer O'Mara (born November 12, 1989) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 165th Legislative District. The district includes parts of Springfield Township, Marple Township, Radnor Township and the borough of Morton.[1]
The oldest of three children, O'Mara was born in Southwest Philadelphia. She moved to Delaware County with her mother and siblings after her father, a Philadelphia firefighter, died by gun suicide. O'Mara cites the importance of her father's pension and public program such as CHIP in supporting her family while she was a teenager. She graduated from the Interboro High School in 2007 and became the first in her family to attend college.[2]
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a certificate in Secondary Education from West Chester University in 2011. In 2017, She received a Master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Pennsylvania, her master's thesis was centered around creative methods for childhood grief.[3] [4]
On, O'Mara launched her campaign for the 165th District.[5] The district had never elected a Democratic representative before, and had previously been represented by one-term Republican Alex Charlton.
O'Mara was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Charlton defeated primary challenger Regina Scheerer with 65.72% of the Republican vote.[6] O'Mara upset Charlton in the 2018 general election, becoming the first Democrat and first woman to represent the district.[7]
O'Mara ran for re-election in 2020.[8] She was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced Republican Robert Smythe Jr. in the general election. O'Mara retained her seat by defeating Smythe with 51.51% of the vote.[9]
O'Mara was sworn in on January 1, 2019, and was elected first vice-chair for the Democratic Caucus's Southeast delegation.[10]