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 and lawyer. He served as the 46th governor of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015. As a member of the Republican Party, he was also the attorney general of Pennsylvania.

Born in Philadelphia, Corbett graduated from Lebanon Valley College and later earned a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law. He also served as a captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Corbett began his career as a lawyer in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He later worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush appointed him as the United States Attorney for Western Pennsylvania.

In 2010, Corbett was elected governor of Pennsylvania. He was the second attorney general in the state's history to become governor. In 2014, he ran for a second term but lost to Tom Wolf. This was the first time a Republican governor in Pennsylvania lost a reelection campaign. After leaving office, he returned to private life.

Early Life and Education

Tom Corbett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College. For one year, he worked as a 9th-grade teacher. He then went to St. Mary's University Law School to become a lawyer.

From 1971 to 1984, Corbett served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was part of the 28th Infantry Division and reached the rank of captain.

His career has been a mix of working as a lawyer in private companies and serving the public. He started as an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County in 1976. In 1980, he became an assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Political Career

In 1988, Corbett was elected as a township commissioner in Shaler Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh. This was his first elected position.

A year later, President George H.W. Bush nominated Corbett to be the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He served in this role until 1993.

Afterward, he worked as an adviser for Tom Ridge's campaign for governor. When Ridge won, Corbett served on several state commissions.

Attorney General of Pennsylvania

In 1995, Governor Ridge appointed Corbett as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He served in this role until 1997.

In 2004, Corbett ran for Attorney General again and won the election. He was reelected in 2008, winning with the largest number of votes for any Republican in the state's history.

During his time as Attorney General, Corbett led a major investigation that received national attention.

2010 Campaign for Governor

Results of the 2010 governor's election. Corbett won the counties in red.

In 2009, Tom Corbett announced he was running for Governor of Pennsylvania. He won the Republican primary election. In the main election, he ran against the Democratic candidate, Dan Onorato.

On November 2, 2010, Corbett was elected Governor of Pennsylvania. He won with 54% of the vote.

Governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015)

Tom Corbett giving his first speech as governor on January 18, 2011.

Corbett became governor on January 18, 2011. As governor, he focused on cutting government spending and taxes.

State Budget and Economy

One of Corbett's first actions was to propose a new state budget that lowered spending. His budget included major cuts to funding for state universities. This led to a lot of discussion across Pennsylvania.

His 2013–14 budget increased funding for public schools. It also provided more money for programs that help people with disabilities.

During his time as governor, Pennsylvania's economy saw some job growth. The state added over 124,000 jobs between 2011 and 2014.

Natural Gas and Energy

Governor Corbett giving a speech in March 2014.

Corbett supported the growth of the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania. He believed it would create jobs. In 2012, he signed a law that placed a fee on gas drilling. The money from this fee went to local communities to help with the effects of drilling.

The law also changed local rules for where gas drilling could happen. This made it easier for companies to build wells and pipelines. Some people were concerned about the environmental impact of this process, which is also known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking."

2014 Reelection Campaign

Corbett during his 2013 reelection campaign tour.

Corbett announced he would run for a second term as governor in November 2013. Polls showed that many voters were not happy with his performance as governor.

He ran unopposed in the Republican primary. In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee Tom Wolf.

On November 4, 2014, Corbett lost the election to Wolf. He was the first governor of Pennsylvania to lose a reelection bid since the state's constitution was changed in 1968.

Life After Politics

After his term as governor ended in January 2015, Corbett returned to private life. He now works at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University as a special executive. In 2021, he also registered as a lobbyist, a person who tries to influence government decisions.

Personal Life

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

Corbett married Susan Manbeck in 1972. They met when they were both students at Lebanon Valley College.

Mrs. Corbett has worked as a teacher and in arts organizations. She was a manager at the Carnegie Museums and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

The Corbetts have two children, a son named Tom and a daughter named Katherine.

Images for kids

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

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

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  Corbett signing bills into law to help Pennsylvania veterans.

Electoral history

See also

In Spanish: Tom Corbett para niños