JOSEPH B SCARNATI, III

Joseph B. “Joe” Scarnati III (R), born in Brockway in 1962, is the son of Joseph H. Jr. and Yvonne Scarnati. He graduated from Brockway Area High School in 1980. In 1982, he graduated from Penn State University-Dubois with a Bachelor of Art degree in business administration.

Joe grew up understanding that business and industry are vital to our state’s economy and its future. After graduating from Penn State University-Dubois, Joe became a third-generation business owner in the Brockway area. He has carried on the lifelong tradition of working to better his community through involvement and civic leadership, serving as a member of the Brockway Borough Council, president of the Jefferson County Development Council, and chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He is also a member of St. Tobias Roman Catholic Church in Brockway, the NRA, Horton Sportsmen Club, Gun Owners of America, and the Penn State-Dubois Advisory Board. Working in the private sector for 20 years, serving as a local official, and being a small business owner prior to coming to Harrisburg have given him a unique perspective on how government can work more effectively to help job-creators, working families, and communities.

Since being elected to office in 2000, Joe has been a leader in reforming the way business is conducted in Harrisburg, and he remains committed to making the institution more open and accessible to the citizens of the Commonwealth. As Senate President Pro Tempore, Joe serves as an ex-officio member of each of the 22 Senate committees. He also serves on the Senate Republican Policy Committee, the Pa. Hardwoods Development Council, and the Pa. Workforce Investment Board. He has been a committed leader in addressing numerous important fiscal and conservative issues within the state.

In his years as state Senator, Joe has served as a rank and file member of the Senate, as Majority Deputy Whip (Jul. 2005- Feb. 2006), as Majority Policy Chairman (Feb. 2006-Nov. 2006), and as President Pro Tempore (Dec. 2006 to Nov. 2020)—a position that he was elected to by the full Senate. In November 2008, with the passing of Catherine Baker Knoll, Joe became Pennsylvania’s 31st Lieutenant Governor. He served the remained of Lieutenant Governor Knoll’s term, which ended January 18, 2011. On November 10, 2020, Joe resigned from his role as State Senator.

Joe resides in Brockway with his wife, Amy. They enjoy the outdoors, cooking, traveling, biking, and spending time with their children.

Cited: Pa. Manual December 2005 vol. 117 p. 3-22

Cited: Pa. Manual December 2019 vol. 124 p. 3-12