Andrew James Lewis[3] (born February 6, 1987) is an American businessman, politician and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 105th District from 2019 to 2022.
Andrew Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Lewis in 2019 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 105th district | |
| In office January 1, 2019[1] – November 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Marsico |
| Succeeded by | Justin C. Fleming |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 6, 1987 Leonardtown, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ranae |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Thomas Edison State University (BA) George Washington University (MA) Temple University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 2005–2015 (active) 2015–2020 (PAARNG) |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Service Badge, Combat Action Badge |
| Source: [[2][3]] | |
Early life and education
editLewis was born on February 6, 1987, in Leonardtown, Maryland. He graduated from Greenwood School District's Home Education Program in 2005. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Thomas Edison State University in 2012, Master of Arts in legislative affairs from George Washington University in 2013, and a Master of Business Administration from Temple University in 2015.[3] He also earned a graduate certificate in public policy from Liberty University.[4]
Military service
editAfter graduating from high school in 2005, Lewis enlisted in the United States Army. He was deployed as a scout during the 2007-2008 Iraq troop surge for fifteen months in Iraq, where he experienced combat. Following his stint in Iraq, Lewis was selected as a counterintelligence agent and was stationed in South Korea for two years, during which time he was given oversight of his team. He was later assigned to the White House Communications Agency. Lewis was honorably discharged from active duty in 2015 at the rank of staff sergeant.[3][2]
In 2024, Lewis was appointed to the rank of captain in the United States Army Reserve, serving on the Civil Affairs team. He was sworn in by former Pennsylvania Representative Frank Ryan, a retired military officer, at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.[5]
Business career
editAfter being honorably discharged from active duty in 2015, Lewis became chief operating officer of Tradesman Building Group, a company founded by his brother. He left the company in December 2018.[2][6][7]
In 2019, he co-founded BiiLT Contracting Group. He later joined Berks Homes as a general manager in 2022 and since 2023 sits on the board of Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research Inc.[4][6]
Political career
editIn 2016, Lewis ran for the Republican nomination for the 15th Pennsylvania Senate District, but lost to John DiSanto.[3][8]
Lewis was elected to represent the 105th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018,[3] replacing the retiring Ronald Marsico.[9] He was re-elected in 2020.[3]
2019-2020 committee assignments
edit2021-2022 committee assignments
editIn May 2020, Lewis tested positive for COVID-19. His staff was notified of their exposure, as were his Republican colleagues who had been in close contact. However, Lewis himself did not publicly reveal his diagnosis until after two weeks of quarantine.[12] Democrats in the House criticized the Republican caucus for not disclosing Lewis's diagnosis earlier, alleging Republican leadership purposely kept it secret.[13] The events surrounding Lewis's positive test and subsequent non-disclosure led to a new COVID protocol in the state house.[14]
In 2020, Lewis was among 26 Pennsylvania House Republicans who called for the reversal of Joe Biden's certification as the winner of Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 United States presidential election, citing false claims of election irregularities. After the Electoral College was certified, he put out a statement acknowledging the results.[15]
In August 2021, Lewis introduced a universal school choice bill, the Excellent Education for All Act, which would have created a state-funded school voucher program, make changes to the state's charter school law, increase funding for education tax credit scholarships, and make learning pods exempt from state regulation.[16]
Following redistricting, Lewis was moved to the 104th District, a more Democratic district than the 105th. Because of this, Lewis chose not to seek re-election in 2022.[17]
In February 2023, Lewis was recognized by Lower Paxton Township Supervisors and Dauphin County Commissioners for his service. He was presented with proclamations highlighting his achievements while in office, and February 7, 2023 was named "Representative Andrew Lewis Day" in Dauphin County.[18]
Personal life
editLewis lives in Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Ranae, and their three sons.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Session of 2019 203d of the General Assembly No. 1" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 1, 2019. pp. 2–3, 5. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "About Andrew". PA State Rep. Andrew Lewis. PA House Republican Caucus. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Andrew Lewis". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Andrew Lewis Joins Lincoln Institute Board of Directors". Lincoln Institute. August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Andrew Lewis on LinkedIn: Excited to announce that I've been selected for a direct commission to the… | 49 comments". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "LinkedIn". August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Tradesman Building Group | Learn More". tradesmanbuilders. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Pa. Senate candidates spar over their backgrounds". WIFT. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ Marroni, Steve (May 16, 2018). "Republican state House candidate in Dauphin County wins with two thirds of vote". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "House Speaker Taps Lewis for Committee Leadership Post". webcms.pahousegop.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Pennsylvania Rep. Andrew Lewis (R) | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ The Associated Press (May 28, 2020). "Pennsylvania lawmaker says he tested positive for coronavirus and self-isolated". WTAE-TV. Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Gabriel, Trip (May 28, 2020). "A G.O.P. Lawmaker Had the Virus. Nobody Told Democrats Exposed to Him". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (June 10, 2020). "Pa. House to require temperature checks if member or staffer tests positive for COVID-19". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (November 27, 2020). "26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors". PennLIVE Patriot-News.
- ^ staff, reimaginED (August 20, 2021). "School choice bill will be 'game changer' for Pennsylvania schoolchildren". NextSteps: Step Up For Students. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (March 16, 2022). "Two-term incumbent lawmaker announces he will not seek re-election". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Lower Paxton Supervisors and Dauphin County Commissioners thank Andrew Lewis for his service in the PA House". February 7, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2024.