Tom Wolf

Tom Wolf
Name	Tom Wolf
Order	47th
Office	Governor of Pennsylvania
Term start	January 20, 2015
Term end	January 17, 2023
Lieutenant	Mike Stack, John Fetterman
Predecessor	Tom Corbett
Successor	Josh Shapiro
Birth name	Thomas Westerman Wolf
Birth date	17 November 1948
Birth place	York, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Frances Donnelly, 1975
Education	Dartmouth College (BA), University of London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA), University of Chicago (PhD)

Tom Wolf. Thomas Westerman Wolf is an American businessman and politician who served as the 47th Governor of Pennsylvania from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue under Governor Ed Rendell. Before entering public service, Wolf built a successful career as the owner and chairman of The Wolf Organization, a major building products company based in his hometown.

Early life and education

Thomas Westerman Wolf was born in York, Pennsylvania, to Cornelia "Cricket" and William "Bill" Wolf. He attended The Hill School, a prestigious boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, before enrolling at Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Wolf then studied at the University of London through a Dartmouth foreign study program. He later earned a Master of Arts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from the University of Chicago, where his dissertation focused on congressional budgeting.

Business career

After completing his doctorate, Wolf returned to York County and joined the family business, The Wolf Organization, a distributor of kitchen cabinets and building supplies. He purchased the company from his cousins in 1985 and expanded it significantly, later selling a majority stake to a Boston-based firm. During the Great Recession, he returned as CEO to rescue the company from financial distress, repurchasing it and restoring its profitability. His business acumen earned him recognition, including the "Businessman of the Year" award from the Central Penn Business Journal. Wolf also served on the boards of various community institutions, including the York County Community Foundation and WellSpan Health.

Political career

Wolf's first foray into statewide politics began in 2007 when Governor Ed Rendell appointed him as Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue. In this role, he oversaw the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and helped modernize its tax collection systems. He left the cabinet in 2008 to return to his business but remained a prominent figure in Pennsylvania Democratic circles. Wolf was also a major donor and supporter of Democratic candidates and causes, including the campaigns of Barack Obama and Bob Casey Jr.. His philanthropic efforts through the Wolf Family Foundation further cemented his profile as a civic leader in the Susquehanna Valley.

Governor of Pennsylvania

Elected in 2014 after defeating incumbent Republican Tom Corbett, Wolf took office facing a legislature controlled by the Republican Party. His tenure was marked by significant battles over the state budget, education funding, and opioid crisis response. Key achievements included the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the legalization of medical cannabis through the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act, and increased investment in public education. He also established the state's first Office of State Fire Commissioner and implemented sweeping reforms to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Wolf was reelected in 2018, defeating Republican challenger Scott Wagner.

Post-gubernatorial activities

Since leaving office in 2023, Wolf has remained active in public policy and civic engagement. He joined the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics as a senior fellow, focusing on issues of democratic governance. He also serves on the advisory board of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, a nonprofit news outlet. Wolf has been a vocal advocate for electoral reform, including support for mail-in voting laws he signed as governor, and has spoken at events for organizations like the Center for American Progress. He continues to be involved with the Wolf Family Foundation, which supports educational and community initiatives in Pennsylvania.

Personal life

Wolf married Frances Donnelly in 1975, and they have two daughters, Sarah and Katie. The family resides in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania, a borough named for his ancestor, the 19th century entrepreneur and Pennsylvania Railroad engineer Henry Wolf. An avid reader and history enthusiast, Wolf has cited figures like Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln as influences. He is also a licensed pilot and enjoys flying small aircraft. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, he underwent treatment and publicly shared his experience to promote awareness and early detection.

Category:1948 births Category:Governors of Pennsylvania Category:Pennsylvania Democrats Category:Living people