Tom Corbett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Corbett
Corbett in 2014
46th Governor of Pennsylvania
In office January 18, 2011 – January 20, 2015
Lieutenant	Jim Cawley
Preceded by	Ed Rendell
Succeeded by	Tom Wolf
46th Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office January 18, 2005 – January 18, 2011
Governor	Ed Rendell
Preceded by	Jerry Pappert
Succeeded by	Linda Kelly
In office October 3, 1995 – January 22, 1997
Governor	Tom Ridge
Preceded by	Ernie Preate
Succeeded by	Mike Fisher
United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In office November 30, 1989 – May 1, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Charles Sheehy (Acting)
Succeeded by	Frederick Thieman
Personal details
Born	Thomas Wingett Corbett Jr. (1949-06-17) June 17, 1949 (age 76) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan Manbeck ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	2
Education	Lebanon Valley College (BA) St. Mary's University, Texas (JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Years of service	1971–1984
Rank	Captain
Unit	28th Infantry Division

Thomas Wingett Corbett Jr. (born June 17, 1949) is an American politician. He served as the 46th governor of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was the attorney general of Pennsylvania.

Corbett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Lebanon Valley College and St. Mary's University School of Law. He also served as a captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He started his career as a prosecutor in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1976. Later, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1988, he was elected as a Township Commissioner in Shaler. From 1989 to 1993, he was the United States Attorney for Western Pennsylvania.

In 1995, Corbett became the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He served until 1997. After working in private business, he was again elected Attorney General in 2004. He was re-elected in 2008. He served two times as attorney general: from 1995 to 1997, and from 2005 to 2011.

Corbett was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2010. He won against Democratic candidate Dan Onorato. He was the second Pennsylvania attorney general to become governor. In 2014, he lost his re-election bid to Democrat Tom Wolf. This was the first time a Pennsylvania governor running for re-election lost since 1854. After his term, he returned to private life.

Early Life and Education

Corbett was born in Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College. For one year, he worked as a 9th-grade teacher. He then earned his law degree from St. Mary's University Law School. He was in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1971 to 1984. He reached the rank of captain.

Corbett's career has included both private law and public service. He began as a prosecutor in Pittsburgh's Allegheny County in 1976. In 1980, he became an assistant United States Attorney.

In 1983, Corbett started working in private law. From 1988 to 1989, he was a township commissioner in Shaler Township. In 1989, Senators John Heinz and Arlen Specter suggested him for U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania. He served until 1993.

After that, Corbett returned to private law. He also advised Tom Ridge's campaign for governor. After Ridge won, Corbett served on state groups, including the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Attorney General Role

First Term: 1995 to 1997

In 1995, Governor Ridge appointed Corbett as State Attorney General. He filled the rest of the term after the previous attorney general left office. As part of his approval by the Senate, he promised not to run for re-election in 1996. This was a common practice for appointed officials in Pennsylvania.

Elections in 2004 and 2008

In 2004, Corbett won the election for Attorney General. He defeated Democrat Jim Eisenhower. Corbett received 50.4 percent of the votes.

Corbett speaking at a Pittsburgh rally for presidential candidate John McCain in 2008

Corbett was re-elected in 2008. He won with a large number of votes. He defeated Democrat John Morganelli.

Actions as Attorney General

In 2010, Corbett and other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit. They argued that parts of the federal Healthcare Bill were unconstitutional. Corbett said he would still put the law into practice if he became governor.

Corbett also asked the social media company Twitter for information. He wanted details about two anonymous Twitter accounts that were criticizing him. His office later said this was part of a grand jury investigation. The subpoenas were eventually withdrawn.

2010 Campaign for Governor

Results of the 2010 gubernatorial election by county

On March 17, 2009, Corbett began preparing to run for Governor of Pennsylvania. He officially announced his candidacy on September 15, 2009. He won the Republican primary election on May 18, 2010. In the main election, he faced Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

In July 2010, Corbett suggested that some unemployed people were not actively looking for jobs. He pointed to "help wanted" ads as proof that jobs were available.

On November 2, 2010, Corbett was elected Governor of Pennsylvania. He defeated Onorato with 54.5% of the votes.

Governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015)

Tom Corbett delivering his inaugural address, January 18, 2011

Corbett became governor on January 18, 2011. He took over from Democrat Ed Rendell. As governor, Corbett followed a conservative approach. He supported Mitt Romney in the 2012 United States presidential election. He also worked to cut taxes and reduce government spending.

Job Growth in Pennsylvania

From January 2011 to June 2014, Pennsylvania gained about 124,800 jobs. This placed Pennsylvania 47th in the nation for job creation. One economist noted that Pennsylvania lost fewer jobs during the 2008–2010 recession. So, it might have a slower recovery. Also, government jobs in the state decreased by 7% during Corbett's time.

Corbett helped keep three oil refineries in Southeastern Pennsylvania open.

State Budget

One of Corbett's first actions as governor was to propose a new state budget. It aimed to decrease spending by 3%. This budget faced criticism because it cut funding for state-supported higher education by 50%. Funding for state universities like Penn State and Pittsburgh would be cut in half.

Corbett's 2013–14 budget included more money for basic education. It also increased funding for programs that help people with mental and physical disabilities.

Governor Corbett at the lighting of the State Capitol Christmas tree.

Natural Gas Policy

Governor Corbett gives a speech in March 2014

Corbett believed Pennsylvania should not have a natural gas extraction tax. He thought the state's corporate tax was already high. In February 2011, Corbett ended a policy that regulated natural gas drilling in park land. He said it was "unnecessary." Some people criticized this, saying it was a favor to oil and gas companies. Corbett stated that his decision was about creating jobs.

On February 17, 2012, Corbett signed The Marcellus Shale Law. This law made natural gas drillers pay a fee. This fee helped cover any environmental or community effects of drilling. In 2012, the law brought in over $200 million for Pennsylvania towns.

The law also changed rules for Marcellus Shale well drilling, also known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking." For example, towns must allow drilling in all areas, including residential zones. They also cannot limit the hours of operation. The law helped create access to land for new pipelines. Some pipelines transport natural gas to other states or for export.

The Marcellus Shale Law also included a rule for doctors. In emergencies, doctors can access a list of chemicals used in fracking fluid. However, they cannot discuss this information with their patients. They must agree to keep the information private.

Corbett signing bills into law designed to benefit PA veterans, alongside Major General Wesley Craig.

Other Important Issues

On January 30, 2013, Corbett shared his plan to privatize Pennsylvania's state-run wine and spirits stores. He estimated that selling these licenses would raise $800 million to $1 billion. His plan was to use this money for education. This would include school safety, early education, and science and technology programs.

2014 Re-election Campaign

Corbett in November 2013 during his reelection campaign tour

Corbett announced he would run for re-election on November 8, 2013.

Many people thought Corbett might lose because his approval ratings were low. A poll in August 2013 showed that only 17% of voters thought he was doing a "good" job. Most election experts predicted he would lose.

Corbett did not face any opponents in the Republican primary election. In the general election, he ran against Democrat Tom Wolf. Polls showed Wolf was ahead of Corbett.

On November 4, 2014, Corbett lost to Wolf. Wolf won with 54.9% of the votes, while Corbett received 45.1%. He was the first sitting governor in Pennsylvania to lose a re-election bid since 1968.

After Being Governor

After his term ended on January 20, 2015, Corbett returned to private life. In October 2021, he registered as a lobbyist. He is currently a special executive at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.

Personal Life

Susan Corbett, First Lady of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015.

Corbett married Susan Manbeck Corbett in 1972. They met while studying at Lebanon Valley College. Susan Corbett has worked as a teacher and a legal secretary. She also worked in arts administration.

Tom and Susan Corbett have two children, Tom and Katherine.

Election Results