Thaddeus Kirkland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thaddeus Kirkland
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| Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 4, 2016 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | John Linder |
| Succeeded by | Stefan Roots |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 159th district |
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| In office January 5, 1993 – November 30, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Robert C. Wright |
| Succeeded by | Brian Joseph Kirkland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 12, 1955 Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Susie |
| Occupation | Pastor of Community Baptist Church, Chester, Pennsylvania |
Thaddeus Kirkland, born on January 12, 1955, is an American politician. He was the Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania, from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 159th district, from 1993 to 2016. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thaddeus Kirkland was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. He finished Chester High School in 1973. Later, he graduated from Cheyney University in 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He also studied at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Kirkland completed the Leadership Academy at Widener University. He is a member of the fraternities Wine Psi Phi and Omega Psi Phi. Before his political career, he worked at Crozer Chester Medical Center. There, he helped teenagers with outreach and educational programs.
Political Career
Serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In 1993, Thaddeus Kirkland was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 159th district. He was reelected ten times, serving 11 terms in total. Each term lasted two years.
Kirkland was the Democratic Chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. In 2016, he did not run for reelection. His nephew, Brian Joseph Kirkland, took his place.
Bills and Important Issues
During the 2015-2016 session, Kirkland supported several bills. One bill, HB 418, was about human-shaped targets at shooting ranges. Another, HB 419, concerned crimes that could not be removed from a criminal record. He also supported HB 420, which was about police officers wearing body cameras. None of these bills became law. Kirkland also worked on issues like prayer in schools, video surveillance, and technical training programs.
Chester-Upland School District Discussions
In 2011, Kirkland suggested a federal lawsuit. This was to help the Chester Upland School District get more money. He wanted to prevent cuts that would close three high schools. However, the school board did not agree with his plan.
In 2017, Kirkland welcomed a new school. It was the Chester Charter School for the Arts. This school focuses on music, dance, theater, and visual arts. It serves students from kindergarten through 11th grade.
Becoming Mayor of Chester
In 2015, Kirkland ran for Mayor of Chester. He won the Democratic primary election. He then defeated former mayor, Republican Wendell Butler Jr., in the main election. He became mayor on January 4, 2016.
When he took office, he promised to make the city safer. He planned to improve schools and the police force. He also wanted police officers to use body cameras. Kirkland continued to serve as a state representative for a short time while also being mayor. He was the first representative to resign and then take back his resignation. He did not take a mayoral salary during this time.
In May 2023, he ran for mayor again. However, he lost the Democratic primary election to Stefan Roots.
Personal Life
Thaddeus Kirkland is a pastor at the Community Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. He is also the Vice President of the West End Ministerial Fellowship of Chester and Vicinity. He used to be a Board of Trustee member at Lincoln University.
Kirkland is married to Susie. They have five daughters together. His younger brother, Wilbur Kirkland, was a professional basketball player.
See also
- List of mayors of Chester, Pennsylvania
