State Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166)
HAVERTOWN – Today, State Representative Greg Vitali (D-166) announced he is running for Congress in the 7th congressional district of Pennsylvania.
“Climate change is the single greatest long term threat to our world,” Vitali said. “I cannot sit idly by as Donald Trump and the current Congress endanger our future and make this problem worse. The time is now for all people of good conscience to stand up, stand together, and take back our government for the good of all the people.”
Vitali is considered by many to be the leading environmental legislator in Pennsylvania. He was the first Pennsylvania legislator to introduce the idea of a severance tax on natural gas as well as the first to introduce legislation to combat climate change. He exposed the undue influence of special interest money from the oil and gas industry by publishing a report entitled Marcellus Money and the PA Legislature and has won many statewide environmental awards for his work.
Vitali has also been recognized as a strong advocate for brick and mortar public schools, women’s rights, criminal justice reform, sensible gun control policies, government reform, and equality for all under the law. Vitali has often been referred to as “the Conscience of the Legislature” because of the principled stands he takes on issues. He is not afraid to speak truth to power. His frank and blunt style often puts him at odds with powerful politicians.
“People want their representatives to be honest, hard-working, and competent. They want you there fighting for them – not special interests, not yourself, not political bosses – them and their families. Good government is hard work, and that is why I have always believed in knocking on doors and knowing my constituents and their concerns personally. That genuine face-to-face style and integrity has been largely lost in our government, and that is why I am running,” said Vitali.
In 1992, building on his success as a community activist and knocking on nearly every door in the neighborhood, Greg became the first Democrat ever elected to the 166th Legislative District of Pennsylvania. He has been reelected 12 times winning with his own brand of “shoe leather “ campaigning–not special interest money.
Vitali is a lifetime resident of Delaware County. He grew up in the Sacred Heart parish in Havertown and is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep. He received his B.S. in Economics (cum laude) from Villanova University and his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. As a solo practitioner in Havertown for 12 years, Vitali learned both how laws affect real people and how to run a small business. As an adjunct professor at Villanova University, he taught classes on state and local government.
He is an avid runner and cyclist, having completed 12 marathons and a 3000-mile bicycle ride across the United States.
