Joseph Preston, Jr.
Joseph Preston, Jr. (b. May 28, 1947) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing District 24 from 1983 to 2013.
Preston earned his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. Preston has worked in the following positions: Personnel Analyst for Jones and Laughlin Steel, Commercial and Industrial Salesman, Personnel Administrator for the City of Pittsburgh, and Organization Analyst for Allegheny County.
PoliticsPA named the District 24 Democratic primary one of Pennsylvania's top ten most interesting legislative primaries in 2012.[1] Preston was defeated in the primary by Edward Gainey.[2]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Preston served on these committees:
- Consumer Affairs, Chair
- Rules
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Preston served on these committees:
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Consumer Affairs Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Chair
- Rules Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Issues
Debates
2012
On April 20, Gainey and incumbent Joseph Preston, Jr. (D) took part in a debate sponsored by the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania. Coverage of the debate can be found here.
Elections
2012
Preston ran in the 2012 election for Pennsylvania House District 24. Preston was defeated by Edward Gainey in the Democratic primary on April 24. [3][4]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Edward Gainey |
65.7% | 4,687 |
| Joseph Preston, Jr. Incumbent | 34.3% | 2,442 |
| Total Votes | 7,129 | |
Petition challenges
On March 20, Democratic candidates Todd Koger and William Anderson were disqualified after a petition challenge by candidate Edward Gainey (D). Gainey also challenged Preston's petitions. A number of Preston's signatures were thrown out (some as forgeries), but enough valid signatures remained for Preston to keep his place on the ballot.[5]
2010
Preston won re-election to the 24th District seat in 2010. He won the primary election, receiving 4,702 votes while his opponents William Anderson and Todd Elliott Koger received 1,368 and 1,096 votes respectively. Preston faced no opposition in the general election on November 2, 2010.[6]
| Pennsylvania State House, District 24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Joseph Preston, Jr. (D)
|
14,405 | 100.0% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Preston won re-election to the 24th District seat of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, receiving 26,342 votes running unopposed.[7]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Joseph Preston, Jr. (D)
|
26,342 | 100.0% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Preston and his wife, Odelfa, have two children.
External links
- Rep. Joseph Preston, Jr., Personal website
- Rep. Joseph Preston, Jr., Facebook page
- Joseph Preston, Twitter feed
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Rep. Joseph Preston, Jr.
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998
Footnotes
- ↑ PoliticsPA, "Top 10 Most Interesting Pa. House & Senate Primaries," April 3, 2012
- ↑ Forest Hills Patch, "Ed Gainey Wins Over Longtime State Rep. Joseph Preston," April 24, 2012
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed April 15, 2014
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2012 Primary Candidate List," April 15, 2014
- ↑ Early Returns, "Preston barely stays on ballot," March 20, 2012
- ↑ 2010 general election results from the Pennsylvania Secretary of State's office
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Official 2008 General Election Results," accessed April 15, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 24 1983–2013 |
Succeeded by Edward Gainey (D) |
