David H. Rowe

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = David Rowe

| image = David H. Rowe by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| caption = Rowe at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation

| state_house1 = Pennsylvania

| district1 = 85th

| term_start1 = September 17, 2019{{cite web |title=SESSION OF 2019 203D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 54 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/HJ/2019/0/20190917.pdf |access-date=23 November 2022 |page=3 |publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly |work=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal |date=September 17, 2019}}

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Fred Keller

| successor1 =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|02|10}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse =

| children =

| website = {{official}}

}}

David Hummer Rowe{{cite news |title=Candidate Information - ROWE, DAVID HUMMER |url=https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/electioninfo/CandidateInfo.aspx?ID=17381 |access-date=June 5, 2020 |agency=Pennsylvania Department of State}} is an American politician from Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Republican Party and has represented the 85th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2019.

Early life

David Hummer Rowe was homeschooled and graduated in 2009.{{cite news |title=Republican David H. Rowe Union County |url=http://lwvlewisburgarea.org/files/vg-special85th2019.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2020 |publisher=League of Women Voters |date=2019 |location=Lewisburg, Pennsylvania}}{{cite news |title=David H. Rowe |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1871 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |agency=Pennsylvania General Assembly}} After graduating from homeschool, Rowe was a Christian missionary in Southeast Asia. While based in Taiwan, Rowe attended National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), but has not disclosed whether he completed any specific program during his NSYSU experience.{{cite news |title=Rowe will run for re-election to the House |url=https://www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2020/01/rowe-will-run-for-re-election-to-the-house/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Lewistown Sentinel |date=January 16, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Rowe announces re-election bid |url=http://www.standard-journal.com/article_6f4f984e-89aa-5801-ab7f-33c0b8123b9f.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Standard-Journal |date=January 16, 2020}} After returning to the states in 2010, Rowe established LBG Fitness Inc., a CrossFit gym.{{cite news |title=Rowe to seek GOP nomination for state House special election |url=https://www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2019/05/rowe-to-seek-gop-nomination-for-state-house-special-election/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Lewistown Sentinel |date=May 31, 2019}}

Political career

The East Buffalo Township Board of Supervisors selected Rowe to succeed Michael Daniloff in March 2018.{{cite news |last1=Dandes |first1=Rick |title=East Buffalo Township votes in new supervisor |url=https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/east-buffalo-township-votes-in-new-supervisor/article_18149e3e-26e3-5982-8563-1426fa950009.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Daily Item |date=March 12, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Farrand |first1=Matt |title=New super. appointed in EBT |url=http://www.standard-journal.com/news/local/article_987abb80-26af-11e8-8411-3780aec20dbb.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Standard-Journal |date=March 13, 2018}}

After Fred Keller vacated his seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on May 24, 2019, Rowe contested the open seat.{{cite news |last1=Caruso |first1=Stephen |title=Tuesday's special election in the Susquehanna River Valley will pit Democrat against Republican — against Republican |url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/this-blood-red-district-will-almost-certainly-elect-a-republican-on-tuesday-right/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |date=August 19, 2019}} This necessitated Rowe's resignation from his East Buffalo Township post, in which he was succeeded by Jim Murphy.{{cite news |last1=Farrand |first1=Matt |title=New supervisor in East Buffalo Township |url=http://www.standard-journal.com/news/local/article_ad52e968-972b-11e9-815e-536133e296d2.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Standard-Journal |date=June 25, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Scicchitano |first1=Eric |title=EBT appoints news superviser, process panned by critics |url=https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/ebt-appoints-new-supervisor-process-panned-by-critics/article_684a6701-6254-58d3-b62e-a98e441b5ee2.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Daily Item |date=June 24, 2019}}{{link note|note=European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU 451: Unavailable due to legal reasons}} Rowe secured the Republican Party nomination, and defeated Democratic Party candidate Jennifer Rager-Kay, as well as write-in candidate Clair Moyer.{{cite news |last1=Caruso |first1=Stephen |title=Republican David Rowe wins special election for state House seat formerly held by U.S. Rep. Keller |url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/republican-wins-special-election-for-state-house-seat-formerly-held-by-u-s-rep-keller/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |date=August 20, 2019}}

Rowe was sworn in as a member of the Pennsylvania House on September 17, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Caruso |first1=Stephen |title=Full House: David Rowe sworn in, bringing chamber to full complement |url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/former-township-supervisor-david-rowe-sworn-in-to-state-house/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |date=September 17, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Rowe takes oath of office |url=http://www.standard-journal.com/news/local/article_bd7895f8-1e84-5242-a714-88f27fd12732.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Standard-Journal |date=September 19, 2019}}

In January 2020, Rowe announced that he would seek reelection. No opposing candidate filed by the deadline to challenge Rowe's incumbency.{{cite news |last1=Scicchitano |first1=Eric |title=No challengers filed to compete with state representative |url=https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/no-challengers-filed-to-compete-with-state-representative/article_c68682b6-e3b2-50e2-adaa-fc498933b857.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=Daily Item |date=February 20, 2020}} He defeated Democratic Party candidate Katie Evans in the 2020 general election with a winning vote percentage of 68.2 percent vs 31.8 percent, within one percentage point of the Republican/Democratic affiliation breakdown of the 85th district.{{cite news |last1=Farrand |first1=Matt |title=Rowe takes 85th State House District |url=https://www.standard-journal.com/news/local/article_51370685-02e1-5f21-8a66-eb5bcb728c83.html |access-date=5 November 2020 |work=Standard-Journal |date=3 November 2020}}{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Voting & Election Statistics|url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Pages/VotingElectionStatistics.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2021|website=Pennsylvania Department of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824051302/http://www.dos.pa.gov:80/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Pages/VotingElectionStatistics.aspx |archive-date=2017-08-24 }}

Rowe has blocked individuals who criticize or question his statements and policies on social media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/rep-david-rowe-blocks-critics-from-his-social-media-page-prompting-first-amendment-questions/article_4a3c303e-50f5-11eb-aa61-3b7a8cf52988.html|title = Rep. David Rowe blocks critics from his social media page, prompting First Amendment questions| date=7 January 2021 }} During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rowe posted a photo on social media Thanksgiving Eve at a bar, with a drink in hand, after 5 P.M. as a response to COVID state-level mitigation techniques.{{Cite web|last=Dandes|first=Rick|date=November 26, 2021|title=State Rep. Rowe posts to Facebook flouting drinking ban|url=https://www.dailyitem.com/news/state-rep-rowe-posts-to-facebook-flouting-drinking-ban/article_3868cb28-3030-11eb-8174-63c0d41438d1.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2021|website=Daily Item|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126214747/https://www.dailyitem.com/news/state-rep-rowe-posts-to-facebook-flouting-drinking-ban/article_3868cb28-3030-11eb-8174-63c0d41438d1.html |archive-date=2020-11-26 }}{{Cite web|date=July 3, 2020|title=PA GOP condemns mask mandate and Supreme Court ruling in favor of emergency declaration|url=https://www.northcentralpa.com/covid-19/pa-gop-condemns-mask-mandate-and-supreme-court-ruling-in-favor-of-emergency-declaration/article_fcf1e9de-bd2b-11ea-b996-f72e1274d7b0.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2021|website=NorthcentralPA.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043418/https://www.northcentralpa.com/covid-19/pa-gop-condemns-mask-mandate-and-supreme-court-ruling-in-favor-of-emergency-declaration/article_fcf1e9de-bd2b-11ea-b996-f72e1274d7b0.html |archive-date=2020-07-09 }}

In 2020, Rowe was among twenty-six 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.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jan |author1-link=Jan Murphy |title=26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors |url=https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/11/26-pa-house-republicans-call-for-withdrawing-certification-of-presidential-electors.html |work=PennLIVE Patriot-News |date=27 November 2020 |language=en}}

Rowe is the vice-chair of the Pennsylvania State Freedom Caucus.{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Bethany |title=Pa. House members debut their version of the conservative Freedom Caucus |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/29/pennsylvania-house-representatives-are-eigth-freedom-caucus-to-form-nationwide/69686548007/ |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=GoErie |date=November 29, 2022}}

After securing re-election in 2024, David Rowe was named policy chair for the GOP caucus for the 2025-2026 session.https://repdavidrowe.com/News/35141/Latest-News/Rowe-Named-GOP-Policy-Committee-Chair-for-2025-26-Session

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2019 Pennsylvania House of Representatives special election, 85th District{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2019 |title=2019 Special Election 85th House District |url=https://electionreturns.pa.gov/Special/OfficeResults?ElectionID=77&ElectionType=S&IsActive=0 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=Official Returns |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of State}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = David Hummer Rowe

| votes = 6,489

| percentage = 62.59

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Jennifer Rager-Kay

| votes = 3,879

| percentage = 37.41

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, 85th District{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2020 |title=Pennsylvania Election Results |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/inq/pennsylvania-election-results-2020-20201103.html |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = David Rowe

| votes = 20,765

| percentage = 68.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Katie Evans

| votes = 9,707

| percentage = 31.9

}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title=2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, 85th District{{cite web |title=Summary Results Report General Election November 8, 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS Mifflin County, PA |url=http://www.co.mifflin.pa.us/dept/VoterReg/Documents/2022%20Primary%20Reports/2022%20November%20Election%20Offical%20Summary%20Results.pdf |website=Mifflin County, Pennsylvania |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=4 |date=November 22, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Election Summary Report UNION COUNTY, PA GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2022 RESULTS Official |url=http://www.unionco.org/results-1.pdf |website=Union County, Pennsylvania |access-date=23 December 2022 |date=November 21, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Summary Results Report General Election November 8, 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS SNYDER COUNTY |url=https://www.snydercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Election-Summary.pdf.pdf |website=Snyder County, Pennsylvania |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=3 |date=November 23, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Summary Results Report General Election November 8, 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS Juniata County, PA |url=https://www.juniataco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-GE-Official-Summary-Results.pdf |website=Juniata County, Pennsylvania |page=9 |date=November 28, 2022}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = David H. Rowe

|votes = 21,244

|percentage = 88.65

}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|party = Write-in

|votes = 2,719

|percentage = 11.35}}{{Election box total no change

|votes = 23,963

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives General election, 85th District{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2024 |title=2024 General Election 85th House District |url=https://electionreturns.pa.gov/Special/OfficeResults?ElectionID=77&ElectionType=S&IsActive=0 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=Official Returns |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of State}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = David Hummer Rowe

| votes = 24,977

| percentage = 71.7

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Nick Jacobson

| votes = 9,793

| percentage = 28.1

}}