Pam Iovino | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate from the37th district | |
| In office April 29, 2019 (2019-04-29) – November 30, 2020 (2020-11-30) | |
| Preceded by | Guy Reschenthaler |
| Succeeded by | Devlin Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1956-07-23)July 23, 1956 (age 68) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Gettysburg College (BA) Naval War College (MA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1980–2003 |
| Rank |  Captain |
Pamela Marie Iovino[1][2] is an American politician from theCommonwealth ofPennsylvania. ADemocrat, she was elected to thePennsylvania State Senate for the37th district and served from 2019 to 2020.
Iovino was raised in a suburb outside Pittsburgh.[3] She graduated fromGettysburg College with abachelor's degree in political science in 1978. She joined theUnited States Navy as anensign in 1980. She eventually earned the rank of captain. Iovino earned aMaster of Arts in national security and strategic studies from theNaval War College in 1993. In 2004, Iovino became Assistant Secretary in theUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs for Congressional and Legislative Affairs.[4]
FollowingTim Murphy's resignation from theUnited States House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 18th congressional district in 2017, Iovino sought to become theDemocratic Party nominee in thespecial election to succeed him.
On November 19, 2017, local Democrats chose former U.S. Assistant AttorneyConor Lamb during a nominating convention instead.[5] Iovino placed third on both ballots, trailing behind Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli and Lamb, the eventual special election winner.[6]
AfterGuy Reschenthaler, who represented the 37th district in thePennsylvania State Senate, was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives in 2018, aspecial election was called to fill the remainder of his term in the state senate.
Democrats selected Iovino as their nominee, and she faced Republican D. Raja.[7] On April 2, 2019, Iovino defeated Raja, receiving 52% of the vote.[8][9] Iovino was formally sworn in on April 29, 2019.[10][11]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic, Iovino sponsored an amendment clarifying that volunteer firefighting companies could use Volunteer Firefighting Relief Association funds to sanitize and disinfect equipment.[12] In July 2020, Iovino signed a letter urging GovernorTom Wolf to ease restrictions on bars and restaurants.[13]
In July 2020, Iovino lost herwallet, which was coincidentally found and returned by her Republican opponent Devlin Robinson.[14]
Iovino was defeated byDevlin Robinson on November 3, 2020.[15]