Tom Corbett

Tom Corbett
Name	Tom Corbett
Birth date	May 17, 1949
Birth place	Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Occupation	Attorney, Prosecutor, Politician
Party	Republican Party
Alma mater	Washington & Jefferson College; University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Office	46th Governor of Pennsylvania
Term start	January 18, 2011
Term end	January 20, 2015
Predecessor	Ed Rendell
Successor	Tom Wolf

Tom Corbett is an American attorney and politician who served as the 46th Governor of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a county prosecutor, a Pennsylvania Attorney General, and as the state's first elected Attorney General after the office became elective. Corbett's tenure intersected with issues involving criminal justice, energy policy in the Marcellus Shale, and fiscal debates with the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Early life and education

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Corbett was raised in the Monongahela River Valley region after his family moved to Pennsylvania. He attended Washington & Jefferson College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later received a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. During his collegiate years he engaged with campus organizations and regional civic groups in southwestern Pennsylvania, connecting with communities in Allegheny County and Westmoreland County.

Military and legal career

After law school, Corbett served as an officer in the United States Air Force, completing active duty with assignments that included legal and administrative duties. Following military service, he returned to Pennsylvania and entered public prosecution, joining the office of the Allegheny County District Attorney and later serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Cambria County. He became the elected District Attorney of Cambria County before being appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania under the George W. Bush administration. As U.S. Attorney, Corbett led prosecutions involving public corruption, drug trafficking, and white-collar offenses, coordinating with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Political career

Corbett's statewide profile rose with his 1999 appointment as U.S. Attorney, and he successfully ran for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2004, defeating Democratic opponents in a campaign that focused on law enforcement and consumer protection. As Attorney General, he pursued cases involving mortgage fraud, internet crimes, and public corruption, interacting with the Pennsylvania State Police and municipal prosecutors across the state. Corbett also engaged in high-profile litigation with entities such as the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement partners and coordinated multistate actions through associations including the National Association of Attorneys General. His enforcement actions and legal positions drew commentary from elected officials in Harrisburg, advocacy groups in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and national commentators in outlets based in Washington, D.C..

In 2010, Corbett secured the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania and campaigned against Democratic candidates who emphasized investment in infrastructure and education. His campaign addressed fiscal restraint, energy development in the Marcellus Shale, and criminal justice priorities, engaging with stakeholders such as labor unions in Pittsburgh, business groups in Philadelphia, and agricultural interests in Lancaster County.

Tenure as Governor of Pennsylvania

As Governor, Corbett implemented policies on taxation, budgeting, and regulatory oversight that placed him at odds with Democratic leaders in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and with Tom Wolf's later administration priorities. He signed legislation affecting severance taxes and regulation of drilling in the Marcellus Shale, coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Corbett also emphasized reforms in criminal sentencing and victim services, working with prosecutors in Allegheny County and state law enforcement executives.

His administration made budgetary decisions that reduced spending for higher education institutions such as the State System of Higher Education campuses and state-related universities, prompting protests on campuses in State College and debates with presidents of institutions including Pennsylvania State University. Corbett's tenure included appointments to state boards and commissions, interactions with federal officials in Washington, D.C., and responses to natural disasters and public health incidents coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Corbett faced electoral challenges and public scrutiny over issues including handling of child protection investigations in counties across Pennsylvania, controversies related to property assessments and taxation, and debates over job creation strategies in collaboration with economic development agencies in Harrisburg. His administration's record became central to the 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

Post-gubernatorial activities and later career

After leaving the governor's office, Corbett returned to private legal practice and consulting, affiliating with law firms and policy organizations engaged in regulatory compliance, energy law, and public safety matters. He participated in speaking engagements at institutions such as Washington & Jefferson College and panels in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia addressing state governance and legal issues. Corbett has remained active in Pennsylvania civic affairs, contributing to discussions on criminal justice reform, state fiscal policy, and energy development in venues that include state bar associations and regional civic organizations.

He has also been involved with nonprofit boards and legal education initiatives, mentoring attorneys and former public officials while maintaining ties to party organizations including the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. His later career reflects an ongoing engagement with public policy debates that shaped his gubernatorial priorities, from energy regulation to law enforcement coordination.

Category:Politicians from Pennsylvania Category:Governors of Pennsylvania Category:1949 births