Dave Argall

Argall earned a bachelor's degree in political science and international studies from Lycoming College and a master's degree in American studies at Penn State Harrisburg. In May 2006, he earned his Ph.D. in public administration from Penn State. Argall is a part-time instructor who has taught at Lycoming College and Penn State Schuylkill.

Argall was Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, a position that led him to being named to the 2003 "The Pennsylvania Report Power 75" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics.{{cite web| title = The PA Report "Power 75" List| work = Pennsylvania Report| publisher = Capital Growth, Inc.| date = January 31, 2003| url = http://www.pa-report.com/uploaded_pdf/PAReportPower75_.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060920200116/http://www.pa-report.com/uploaded_pdf/PAReportPower75_.pdf| archive-date = 2006-09-20| url-status = dead}} He was elected to serve as the Republican Whip in 2004 and again in 2006.{{cite web |url=http://daveargall.com/?sectionid=5§iontree=5 |title=Representative David Argall's Profile |access-date=2008-09-11}}

Argall did not run for re-election to the post of Minority Whip in order to run for the State Senate seat from the 29th district which was vacated by the death and posthumous re-election of James J. Rhoades.{{cite web | title = 2009 Special Election for the 29th Senatorial District| work = Commonwealth of PA – Elections Information | publisher = Pennsylvania Department of State | year = 2004 | url = http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=29&OfficeID=12}}{{cite news |author=Mary E. Young |title=State Rep. David Argall to abandon GOP leadership post while seeking Senate seat |url=http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=113317 |work=Reading Eagle |date=2008-11-11 |access-date=2008-11-11 |archive-date=2011-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807075149/http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=113317 |url-status=dead }} He was elected to the seat over his Democratic opponent, Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Steven Lukach, by a margin of 62% to 38%.[http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anotherview/all-point.6806773mar10,0,5008503.story Argall victory gives Republicans new pride]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Main|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2010#District 17}}

On January 11, 2010, Argall announced his intention to challenge incumbent Democratic Congressman Tim Holden in the November elections. Argall's state senate district covered much of the eastern portion of the congressional district, including Holden's hometown of St. Clair.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

On November 2, 2010, Argall's 95,000 votes weren't enough as he lost for the first time in his political career, falling to Holden's 118,486 votes.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} He did not have to give up his state senate seat to run for Congress; Pennsylvania state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Argall was not up for reelection until 2012.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

On April 16, 2025, Argall served as a volunteer judge of the National Civics Bee competition in Schuylkill County. A sixth grade student presented to the judges on the topic of book banning. When it was Argall's turn to talk to the student, he asked if she thought pornographic magazines should be allowed in kindergarten. When the student asked for clarification, Argall responded "pictures of naked people." Argall's part in the exchange was the subject of significant criticism on social media. Argall subsequently apologized for "citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group."{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Mac |date=Apr 18, 2025 |title=Pennsylvania State Senator asked child “pornography” question during National Civics Bee competition |url=https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-state-senator-asked-child-pornography-question-during-national-civics-bee-competition/ |access-date=Apr 18, 2025 |work=WHTM-TV}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=PA state Sen. Dave Argall’s National Civics Bee question stirs controversy |url=https://www.republicanherald.com/2025/04/17/civics-bee-question-stirs-controversy/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Republican Herald |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/senate_bio.cfm?id=69 David G. Argall] official Pennsylvania State Senate site
• [http://www.senatorargall.com Senator Dave Argall] official constituency site
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110116055806/http://www.daveargallforcongress.com/ Dave Argall for U.S. Congress] official campaign site{{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=9078 | fec=H0PA17065 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=PA17&cycle=2010 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-pa-sen}}

{{succession box | before= James J. Rhoades | title= Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 29th District | years=2009–present| after=Incumbent}}

{{s-par|us-pa-hs}}

{{succession box | before=William K. Klingaman Sr. | title= Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 124th District | years=1985–2009| after=Jerry Knowles}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{succession box | before=Samuel H. Smith | title=Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | years=2004–2008| after=Mike Turzai}}

{{s-end}}

{{Current Pennsylvania State Senators}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Argall, David G.}}

Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:Lycoming College alumni

Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni

Category:Politicians from Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Category:Republican Party Pennsylvania state senators

Category:Politicians from West Chester, Pennsylvania

Category:21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

{{Pennsylvania-PASenate-stub}}