GORDNER, John R., a Representative from Columbia County; born in Berwick, Columbia County, Pa., January 5, 1962; graduated, Berwick Area High School, 1979; B.A. Dickinson College, 1983; J.D. Dickinson School of Law, 1987; attorney; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 terms; changed party affiliation to Republican, October 1, 2001; elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 2003 term; appointed, Center for Rural Pennsylvania (1997-2002, 2005-2010; chair, 2007-2010); resigned from the House, November 24, 2003; elected, Pennsylvania State Senate (November 24, 2003-present); elected, Majority Whip (2015-2016); appointed, Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee (2005-2008); appointed, Capitol Preservation Committee (2009-present; chair, 2015-presemt); appointed, Joint State Government Commission (2015-present); elected, delegate, Republican National Convention (2012).