Frank Ryan (politician)

Frank Xavier Ryan
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 101st district
In office January 3, 2017[1] – November 30, 2022
Preceded by	Mauree Gingrich
Succeeded by	John A. Schlegel
Personal details
Born	(1951-05-01) May 1, 1951 (age 73) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sherrie
Children	4
Education	Mount St. Mary's University (BA) University of Maryland (MBA)
Alma mater	Fairfield High School
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1969-2002 2004-2005
Rank	Colonel
Unit	United States Marine Corps Reserve Multi-National Force – Iraq
Battles/wars	Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War

Francis Xavier Ryan^[2] (born May 1, 1951) is an American politician, accountant, and retired military officer who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 101st District from 2017 to 2022.

Early life and education

Ryan was born on May 1, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1969. Ryan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount St. Mary's University in 1973, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland in 1977. He is a Certified Public Accountant.^[2]

Military service

Ryan began his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1969,^[3] and retired at the rank of colonel in 2002. He was recalled to active duty in 2004, serving with the Multi-National Force – Iraq until the following year. He had previously served as Central Command Special Operations Officer during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002.^[4] In total Ryan received three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the United States Army Commendation Medal.^[2]

Political career

Ryan worked for Pat Toomey's first United States Senate campaign. He also worked at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and the U.S. Department of Labor.^[4]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Ryan was first elected to represent the 101st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2016, and won re-election in 2018 and 2020.^[2]

Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Ryan supported false claims of massive voter fraud, pushing a discredited claim that there were more votes than voters in Pennsylvania.^[5][6] He was also one of 26 Pennsylvania House Republicans who called for the reversal of Joe Biden's certification as the winner of Pennsylvania's electoral votes.^[7]

In 2021, he proposed an amendment to a bill whereby only elected officials in Philadelphia, a Democratic stronghold, could be recalled. Prior to Ryan's amendment, the bill allowed for recalls of elected officials statewide.^[8]

In 2022, Ryan announced he would not seek reelection to a fourth term.^[9]

Personal life

Ryan is married to his wife, Sherrie. He has four children and nine grandchildren.^[4][10]

Electoral history

Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District Republican primary election, 2004^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Paterno	19,258	--
	Republican	Ron Hostetler	15,370	--
	Republican	William B. Lynch	12,172	--
	Republican	Susan C. Helm	9,128	--
	Republican	Frank Ryan	9,061	--
	Republican	Mark Stewart	6,935	--

Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District Republican primary election, 2010^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dave Argall	20,585	32
	Republican	Frank Ryan	19,656	31
	Republican	Josh First	14,860	23
	Republican	Allen Griffith	8,376	13

2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican primary election, District 101^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Ryan	3,913	36.06
	Republican	Pier Hess	3,200	29.49
	Republican	Jeffrey Griffith	3,047	28.08
	Republican	John Dissinger	677	6.24
	Write-in		15	0.15
Total votes			10,852	100.00

2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 101^[18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Ryan	19,800	66.91
	Democratic	Lorraine Scudder	9,752	32.96
	Write-in		39	0.13
Total votes			29,591	100.0

2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 101^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Ryan	15,512	64.41
	Democratic	Cesar Liriano	8,553	35.51
	Write-in		20	0.08
Total votes			24,085	100.00

2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 101^[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Ryan	21,611	62.74
	Democratic	Calvin Clements	12,792	37.14
	Write-in		41	0.12
Total votes			34,444	100.0

References

1. "SESSION OF 2017 201ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania General Assembly. January 3, 2017. pp. 2, 4–5. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
2. "Frank Ryan". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
3. "Frank Ryan's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
4. "About Frank Ryan". PA State Rep. Frank Ryan. PA House Republican Caucus. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
5. Walker, Carter (February 12, 2024). "This Pa. activist is the source of false and flawed election claims gaining traction across the country". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
6. "PA Lawmakers: Numbers Don't Add Up, Certification of Presidential Results Premature and In Error". PA State Rep. Frank Ryan. PA House Republican Caucus. December 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
7. Murphy, Jan (27 November 2020). "26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors". PennLIVE Patriot-News.
8. Tamari, Jonathan; Brennan, Chris (June 18, 2021). "Pennsylvania Republicans want voters to be able to recall elected officials — but only in Philly". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
9. Stockburger, George (January 19, 2022). "Pa. Rep. Frank Ryan not seeking re-election in 2022". abc27 WHTM. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
10. "Frank Ryan (@FrankRyanCPA)". Twitter. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
11. "2004 General Primary Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Official Returns SCHUYLKILL". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
12. "2004 General Primary Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Official Returns PERRY". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
13. "2004 General Primary Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Official Returns LEBANON". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
14. "2004 General Primary Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Official Returns DAUPHIN". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
15. "2004 General Primary Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Official Returns BERKS". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
16. "Pennsylvania 17th District Profile - Election 2010". The New York Times. December 10, 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
17. "2016PrimaryElectionSummaryOfficialResults.pdf" (PDF). Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. May 16, 2016. p. 4. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
18. "2016 General Election Results.pdf" (PDF). Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. December 7, 2016. p. 1. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
19. "2018 General Election Summary Results.pdf" (PDF). Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. November 14, 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
20. "Summary Results Report 2020 General Election November 3, 2020 OFFICIAL RESULTS Lebanon County" (PDF). Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. November 19, 2020. p. 3. Retrieved 30 December 2022.

External links