Melissa Shusterman
American politician (born 1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Melissa Shusterman (born September 8, 1967) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 157th District, which covers parts of Chester County and Montgomery County. She was elected in 2018.
Melissa Shusterman | |
|---|---|
Shusterman in 2022 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 157th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019[1] | |
| Preceded by | Warren Kampf |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1967 Augusta, Georgia, US |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Conestoga High School Lafayette College American University |
| Website | Official Website Campaign Website |
Early life and education
Shusterman was born in Augusta, Georgia and raised in Tredyffrin Township. She attended Conestoga High School.[2] In 1989, she graduated from Lafayette College with a bachelor's degree in Russian Studies and History. She later obtained a master's degree in Film and Television from American University in Washington, DC. Shusterman returned to the Chester County area and launched Fedora Media, a video production company, while raising her son as a single mother.[3]
Career
Shusterman was first elected in 2018, successfully unseating four-term incumbent Republican Representative Warren Kampf with 57 percent of the vote.[4] During her campaign, she was endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, and the Sierra Club,[5] as well as by former President Barack Obama.[6] Her committee assignments include the Aging and Older Adult Services, Children & Youth, Commerce, and Rules.[7] Shusterman also serves as Democratic secretary of the Judiciary committee.[8] Shusterman is the first freshman representative to serve as a deputy whip for her party.[9]
Personal life
Shusterman resides in Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania with her husband Hans and son Paris.[2]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Melissa Shusterman | 17,681 | 56.58% | ||
| Republican | Warren Kampf (incumbent) | 13,567 | 43.42% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Melissa Shusterman (incumbent) | 24,854 | 62.53% | |
| Republican | Bryan Walters | 14,894 | 37.47% | |
| Democratic hold | ||||
