Steve Santarsiero

Steve Santarsiero is an American attorney and politician currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 10th District. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held this position since 2019. Prior to his tenure in the State Senate, Santarsiero served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016, representing the 31st District. His political career has been marked by a commitment to various issues, including campaign finance reform, environmental protection, and LGBTQ rights.

Early life and career

Steve Santarsiero was born on February 13, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey. He completed his secondary education at Verona High School, graduating in 1983. Following high school, he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 1987. Santarsiero continued his academic journey by obtaining a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1992. He later expanded his educational qualifications by receiving a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from Holy Family University in 2006.

Before entering politics, Santarsiero had a career as an attorney. However, his perspective shifted significantly after witnessing the September 11 attacks in 2001. Motivated by a desire to contribute more directly to his community, he transitioned from law to education, becoming a high school teacher at Bensalem High School. In this role, he actively encouraged his students to engage in community service and civic activities, fostering a sense of responsibility and involvement among the youth.

Santarsiero's political career began at the local level when he was elected to the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors in 2003. His victory was notable as he defeated a long-standing incumbent, marking a significant shift in local governance by becoming the first Democratic supervisor in 18 years. In 2004, he took a leadership role in organizing the Southeastern Bucks League of Municipalities, a collaborative forum aimed at enhancing cooperation among 19 townships and boroughs in lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In 2008, Santarsiero made the leap to state politics by winning election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he represented the 31st District. His tenure in the House was marked by successful reelections in 2010, 2012, and 2014, during which he focused on various legislative initiatives and community issues.

Legislative service

In 2016, Santarsiero sought to advance his political career by running for Pennsylvania's open 8th Congressional District seat, which became available following the retirement of Republican Representative Mike Fitzpatrick. He faced fellow Democrat Shaughnessy Naughton in the primary election and emerged victorious. However, his campaign faced scrutiny for a misleading claim regarding his authorship of Pennsylvania's gun safety law, which was ultimately rated as false by fact-checkers. In the general election, Santarsiero competed against Brian Fitzpatrick, the Republican candidate and brother of the former congressman. Despite a competitive race, Santarsiero was not elected, losing by a margin of 54% to 46%.

Following this congressional bid, Santarsiero returned to state politics and successfully ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2018, defeating Republican state representative Marguerite Quinn for the open 10th District seat. He was reelected in 2022, overcoming a challenge from Matthew McCullough. In April 2019, Santarsiero resigned from his position at the law firm Curtin & Heefner to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest related to a case involving the Rockhill Quarry, which was being contested by local residents. He defended his decision by clarifying that he was not involved in the case as a non-equity partner at the firm.

As a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Santarsiero holds the position of Minority Caucus Secretary for the 2025-2026 session. He is also involved in several committees, including serving as the Minority Chair of the State Government Committee, as well as participating in the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure, Institutional Sustainability & Innovation, Judiciary, and Rules & Executive Nominations committees.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Santarsiero has focused on a range of policy issues that reflect his commitment to community welfare and progressive values. One of his notable initiatives has been advocating for campaign finance reform. In response to the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, he introduced a bill aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution to enable states and Congress to impose limits on campaign contributions. This resolution was reintroduced multiple times in subsequent years, highlighting his ongoing commitment to addressing the influence of money in politics.

Environmental issues have also been a significant focus for Santarsiero. He was actively involved in responding to the implications of Act 13 of 2012, which affected natural gas drilling regulations in Pennsylvania. As one of the authors of the "Marcellus Compact," he sought to restore stronger taxation and environmental protections that had been weakened by the legislation. Despite facing opposition from Republican colleagues, he remained committed to advocating for local regulations and environmental safeguards.

In the realm of gun policy, Santarsiero has consistently pushed for measures aimed at enhancing public safety. Following the tragic Sandy Hook school shooting in 2013, he introduced legislation to mandate background checks for all gun sales, although the bill did not advance to a vote. He reintroduced similar measures in subsequent years, reflecting his ongoing concern for gun violence prevention.

Santarsiero has also expressed strong support for Israel, emphasizing the importance of American support for the country as a democratic ally in a complex region. He has introduced legislation aimed at penalizing Pennsylvania colleges that divest from Israel, responding to movements that he views as misinformed.

In addition to these issues, Santarsiero has been a proponent of LGBTQ rights, supporting same-sex marriage and advocating for recognition of LGBTQ events and initiatives. His personal connection to the LGBTQ community, particularly through his son's coming out, has informed his advocacy in this area.

Overall, Steve Santarsiero's legislative career is characterized by a commitment to addressing pressing social issues and representing the interests of his constituents in Pennsylvania's 10th District. His background in education and law, combined with his local government experience, has shaped his approach to public service and policy-making.