Vincent J. Hughes
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 7th district
Assumed office
November 21, 1994 (1994-11-21)
Preceded byChaka Fattah
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 190th district
In office
January 6, 1987 (1987-01-06) – November 21, 1994 (1994-11-21)
Preceded byJames Barber
Succeeded byMichael Horsey
Personal details
Born (1956-10-26) October 26, 1956
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
(m. 2005)​
Residence(s)Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materTemple University
Signature

Vincent J. Hughes (born October 26, 1956) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 7th District since 1994.[1] Hughes previously served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 190th District from 1987 to 1994.[2]

Early life and education

Hughes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James and Ann (née Adams) Hughes.[3] After attending Temple University, he worked as library administrator at the University of Pennsylvania and was an official of District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.[4]

Career

In 1984, Hughes unsuccessfully ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 190th District, losing to longtime incumbent James Barber in the Democratic primary.[4] He challenged Barber again in 1986, and finally won the nomination.[5] In the general election, he defeated his Republican opponent, Sandra R. Kellar, by a margin of 89%-11%.[6] As a member of the State House, he served as chairman the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus from 1991 to 1994.[1][7]

After Chaka Fattah resigned to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, Hughes was elected to succeed him as State Senator from the 7th District in a special election on November 21, 1994.[3] As a member of the State Senate, he has served as Deputy Minority Whip (2005-2006), Minority Caucus Secretary (2007-2008), Minority Caucus Chair (2009-2010).[2] He was elected Minority Chair of the Appropriations Committee in 2011.[2]

In February 2012, Hughes voted in favor of House Bill 1950.[8] This bill significantly reduces the rights of municipalities to defend themselves against health risks posed by gas drilling.[9]

Hughes is currently the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Personal life

Hughes is a trustee of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.[10] Hughes met actress, singer, and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph in 2003.[11] The couple married in 2005.[11] Hughes had two children from a previous marriage, as did Ralph.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 "Biography". Senator Vincent Hughes.
  2. 1 2 3 "Senator Vincent J. Hughes". Project Vote Smart.
  3. 1 2 "Pennsylvania Manual" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of General Services. Vol. 119.
  4. 1 2 Morrison, John F. (April 11, 1984). "2 INCUMBENTS LOSE HOUSE RACES". Philadelphia Daily News.
  5. ↑ Gallagher, Maria (May 21, 1986). "CASEY FINDS SLOGAN GETS THE JOB DONE". Philadelphia Daily News.
  6. ↑ Infield, Tom (November 6, 1986). "INS AND OUTS ON THE DAY AFTER INCUMBENCY PROVES TO BE A SOLID DEFENSE". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  7. ↑ "Members List". Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Senate Roll Calls - 2011 RCS# 513". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
  9. ↑ "Bill Information - House Bill 1950; Regular Session 2011-2012". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
  10. ↑ "Vincent J. Hughes". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph Marries Senator". People. July 31, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  12. ↑ Penn, Charli (November 8, 2012). "Making It Work: Sheryl Lee Ralph and Senator Vincent Hughes On Getting Marriage Right the Second Time Around". Essence. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
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