Christopher M. Gebhard[1] (born 1974 or 1975) is a Pennsylvania state senator who represents the 48th district, which includes all of Lebanon County and portions of Dauphin and York counties. He is a member of the Republican Party and the owner of an insurance and risk management firm.
Chris Gebhard | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 48th district | |
| Assumed office June 9, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dave Arnold |
| Constituency | Lebanon County and parts of Dauphin and York counties |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 or 1975 (age 49–50) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sarah |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Vanderbilt University (B.A.) |
| Profession | Business owner |
Early life and career
editGebhard was born in 1974/1975 to parents Peter and Lauralee Gebhard.[2] He attended Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon before graduating from The Hill School in Pottstown in 1992. Gebhard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville,[3][4] after which he returned to Lebanon and began working for his father's insurance agency just after it had merged with a larger company in 1996. Later that year, Gebhard took a job with Cincinnati Insurance Company in Ohio, returning to Hoaster Gebhard in early 2000 but as a "regular employee" per his father.[5] By 2014, Gebhard became the CEO and president of Hoaster Gebhard & Co., an insurance and risk management firm in Lebanon.[2][5]
Pennsylvania Senate
editAfter Dave Arnold died in January 2021 while serving as state senator from Pennsylvania's 48th district, a special election to fill the position was scheduled for May 18, 2021.[6] Gebhard was chosen by the Lebanon County Republican Committee as the Republican candidate,[7] from a list of eight potential names.[8] Running against three other candidates, he won the special election to complete Arnold's term with 62 percent of the vote.[9] Gebhard was sworn in to office on June 9, 2021.[10] In 2022, he ran for re-election against Calvin Clements, who was his closest opponent in 2022, and won with 67% of the vote.[11]
Personal life
editGebhard lives in North Cornwall Township with his wife Sarah and two sons.[7]
He has played golf since he was a teenager, and won most of the major local golf tournaments, including several better ball pairs tournaments.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Profile" (PDF). Senator Gebhard. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Murphy, Jan (June 10, 2021). "Pa. Sen. Chris Gebhard nervous but ready to take on challenge of his new job". The Patriot News. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via MSN.
- ^ Toth, Matthew (April 13, 2021). "Republican candidate in 48th District special election hopes to fill 'void of leadership'". Lebanon Daily News. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Senate Republicans Welcome Senator-elect Chris Gebhard". Pennsylvania Senate Republicans. May 19, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology
- ^ a b "A Generational Business". Hoaster Gebhard & Co. April 4, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (January 26, 2021). "Special election date set to fill seat left vacant by Pa. Sen. Dave Arnold's death". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Knapp, Tom (April 9, 2021). "Meet Chris Gebhard, Republican candidate for 48th Senate District seat". LebTown. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Falk, Jeff (March 24, 2021). "Backed by Strong Competitive Resume, Chris Gebhard Takes Swing at Political Arena". Lebanon Sports Buzz. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Hullinger, Logan (May 19, 2021). "Lebanon County Republican wins 48th Senate District special election". York Dispatch. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "2 winners of May special elections sworn in to state Senate". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Associated Press. June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "Summary Results Report 2022 General November 8, 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Bureau of Elections and Voter Registration for Lebanon County of PA. November 29, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2023.