Brian G. Pettyjohn

Brian G. Pettyjohn
Member of the Delaware Senate from the 19th district
In office 2012 - Present
Preceded by	Joseph W. Booth
Personal details
Born	(1974-01-11) January 11, 1974 Milford, Delaware
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Kelly
Residence	Georgetown, Delaware
Alma mater	University of Delaware
Occupation	Agriculture
Religion	Methodist

Brian Pettyjohn is an American politician and a member of the Delaware Senate. A Republican, he has served in the Senate representing the 19th Senatorial District^[1] since 2012.

Birth

Senator Pettyjohn was born in Milford, Delaware on January 11, 1974.

Residence

Senator Pettyjohn resides in Georgetown, Delaware.

Religion

Pettyjohn is a member of the United Methodist Church.

Education

Brian Pettyjohn received his education at the following institutions:

• University of Delaware; Newark, DE
• Sussex Central High School; Georgetown, DE

2012 Senate Race

The 2012 Republican primary saw the Republican incumbent Joseph W. Booth defeated by Eric Bodenweiser, a political novice, after a lengthy campaign. Soon after the September 11, 2012 primary, Mr. Bodenweiser failed to appear at many high profile events. In subsequent days, the Delaware Attorney General's office announced that Bodenweiser had been indicted on 113 counts of sex crimes against a young man for incidents that purportedly happened over 20 years earlier. Pettyjohn had, by that time, begun to mount a write-in campaign for Senate. After Bodenweiser filed the necessary paperwork to officially withdraw, Pettyjohn and the Republican Party petitioned the Delaware Department of Elections to replace Bodenweiser's name on the ballot with Pettyjohn's. The Department of Elections, under the direction of the Commissioner of Elections Elaine Manlove, refused, and the Delaware State GOP brought legal action against the Department of Elections. After a favorable ruling from the Delaware Court of Chancery and then-Chancellor Leo Strine, and subsequent favorable ruling from the Delaware Supreme Court, Pettyjohn was placed on the November ballot and easily won election with just less than 60% of the vote. Pettyjohn's campaign lasted just 37 days.

2016 Senate Race

For the 2016 primary and general elections, Pettyjohn was unopposed. Senator Pettyjohn will serve in the 149th (2017-2018) and 150th (2019-2020) General Assemblies during the four-year term.

Political experience

Senator Pettyjohn has had the following political experience:

• Senator, Delaware State Senate, 2012–present
• Mayor, Town of Georgetown, DE 2010-2012
• Councilman, Town of Georgetown, DE 2008-2010

Committee Assignments

In the 148th General Assembly (2015-2016), Senator Pettyjohn is assigned to the following standing committees:^[2]

• Agriculture
• Education
• Community / County Affairs
• Sunset / Joint Sunset
• Public Safety
• Veterans Affairs

In addition to the standing committee assignments, Senator Pettyjohn is a member of the following:

• Committee to Advance Educator Compensation and Careers^[3]
• Judicial Strategies Committee^[4]

Senator Pettyjohn is also a member of the committees outside the Delaware General Assembly:

• National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Effectiveness Committee^[5]
• Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus^[6]

Organizations

Senator Pettyjohn is or has been a member of the following organizations:

• Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (Member)
• Children and Families First of Delaware (Board Member)
• Chad Spicer Foundation (Board Member)
• Sussex County Association of Towns (Vice President)
• Delaware League of Local Governments (Member)

External links

• Delaware State Legislature - Senator Brian Pettyjohn official government website
• Senator Brian Pettyjohn official campaign website

References