Art Haywood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Art Haywood
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| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 4th district |
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| Assumed office January 6, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | LeAnna Washington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1958 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Julie Billingslea
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) London School of Economics (MS) University of Michigan (JD) |
Arthur L. Haywood III, born around 1958, is an American lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 4th district since 2015. As a Democrat, he also leads a group called Americans for Democratic Action, which works to make changes in society.
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Art Haywood's Early Life and School
Art Haywood grew up in Toledo, Ohio. His parents were Arthur and Virginia Haywood. His mother, Virginia, was a teacher in public schools and worked to improve education.
Haywood finished Rogers High School in 1975. He then went to Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. He graduated with high honors, which is called magna cum laude.
He was also a Marshall scholar, which is a special scholarship that allowed him to study in the United Kingdom. He earned a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics. Later, Haywood earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1985.
After finishing his studies, Haywood moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1985 to start his career as a lawyer.
Art Haywood's Political Journey
In 2009, Art Haywood was inspired by the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. He decided to run for a position on the Board of Commissioners in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. This board helps manage the local government.
He served on the board for five years. For two of those years, he was the president of the board.
In 2014, Haywood ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate. He won the primary election against the person who held the seat before him. He then won the main election to represent the 4th district. Haywood was re-elected to his Senate seat in 2018 and again in 2022.
What Art Haywood Does in the Senate
For the 2025-2026 Session, Senator Haywood is part of several important committees in the State Senate. These committees work on different topics and help create new laws.
- Health & Human Services (he is the main leader for his party on this committee)
- Appropriations (this committee deals with how the state spends money)
- Finance (this committee works on money matters and taxes)
- Institutional Sustainability & Innovation (this committee looks at how to keep state institutions strong and find new ideas)
- Judiciary (this committee focuses on laws and the justice system)
Art Haywood's Views on Important Issues
Views on Policing
In 2015, after some important events involving police, Haywood suggested a new law. This law would have required the Pennsylvania Attorney General to look into all deaths that happened during police actions.
He brought up a similar idea again in 2022. This time, his suggestion was that local prosecutors, called district attorneys, should investigate police-related deaths without the police department being involved in that investigation. If the district attorney decided not to bring charges, the case would then go to the Attorney General.
Views on Gun Safety
Senator Haywood has worked to find solutions to gun violence. He once held a peaceful protest outside the Philadelphia Mayor's office to encourage action on this issue.
When he ran for re-election in 2022, one of his main goals was to limit the sale of certain types of powerful weapons and their parts.
After a new federal law called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, Haywood also supported a "red flag law" in Pennsylvania. This type of law allows temporary removal of guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others.
Views on January 6 Events
In 2022, Haywood suggested that schools in Pennsylvania should remember the events of the January 6 Capitol attack.
He also introduced a plan that would allow the Pennsylvania Secretary of State to prevent politicians who participated in the Capitol attack from holding elected office again. This plan was based on a part of the U.S. Constitution.
In 2024, Haywood asked for an investigation into another State Senator's involvement in the events of January 6. However, the State Senate's Ethics Committee decided not to investigate his complaint.
Art Haywood's Family Life
Art Haywood married his wife, Julie Billingslea, in 1989. They have three grown-up children. Julie is also involved in public service; she is currently a member of the school board for the Cheltenham School District.
