Jesse Topper
{{Short description|American politician (born 1981)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jesse Topper
| office = Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
| term_start = January 7, 2025
| term_end =
| predecessor = Bryan Cutler
| successo =
| state_house2 = Pennsylvania
| district2 = 78th
| term_start2 = February 10, 2014
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = Dick Hess
| successor2 =
| birth_name = Jesse Willis Topper
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|19}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|Bedford, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican
| education = Frostburg State University (BA)
| website = {{url|reptopper.com|State House website}}
{{url|jessetopper.com|Campaign website}}
}}
Jesse Willis Topper (born September 19, 1981) is an American politician currently representing the 78th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2014.{{cite web |title=SESSION OF 2014 198TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 11 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/HJ/2014/0/20140210.pdf |work=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal |publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=July 29, 2022 |page=3 |date=February 10, 2014}} A Republican, he is the minority leader of the House.
Early life and education
Topper was born on September 19, 1981, to John and Ruth Topper.{{cite web |title=Jesse W. Topper |url=https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=4128 |website=Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives |access-date=November 24, 2022}} He was home schooled and graduated from Frostburg State University magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in music performance.{{Cite web|title=Representative Jesse Topper|url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/House_bio.cfm?id=1681|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=English}}
Political career
Topper won a special election on January 28, 2014, to succeed Pennsylvania State Representative Dick Hess, who died during his term.{{cite web|url=http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/topper-wins-78th-district-house-seat-1495.shtml |date=January 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |title=Topper wins 78th District House seat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202095829/http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/topper-wins-78th-district-house-seat-1495.shtml |archive-date=February 2, 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Ryan |url=http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/578586/Topper-wins-78th-District-state-House-seat.html?nav=742 |title=Topper wins 78th District state House seat |publisher=The Altoona Mirror |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014}} He was reelected to four more consecutive terms. Prior to his election as a state representative, Topper served on the Bedford Borough Council for two years.
In November 2024, Topper was elected to serve as minority leader of the Republican caucus in the House for the 2025–2026 legislative session.{{cite news |title=Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority |url=https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-house-legislative-leadership-topper-e9b87bd15ca2190c3771ae813540e8b3 |access-date=November 14, 2024 |work=AP News |date=November 12, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Ford |title=Pa. House Republicans pick Jesse Topper as new leader after failure to win majority |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2024/11/12/pennsylvania-house-legislature-republicans-leadership/stories/202411120083 |access-date=November 14, 2024 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 12, 2024}}
Political positions
Topper is fiscally and socially conservative. He is also pro-life and a "strong supporter" of the Second Amendment.{{cite web |title=The Issues |url=https://jessetopper.com/the-issues |website=Friends of Jesse Topper |access-date=November 24, 2022}} Topper opposes legalizing adult use cannabis in Pennsylvania.{{cite web |title=Franklin County representatives condemn Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's upcoming 'listening tour' stop |url=https://fox43.com/2019/04/18/franklin-county-representatives-condemn-lt-gov-john-fettermans-upcoming-listening-tour-stop/ |website=WPMT FOX43 |language=en |date=April 18, 2019}}
Personal life
Topper was married to Christy Smith and had two sons. The couple divorced in 2021.{{cite news |title=Divorces |url=https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/public-records/2021/03/divorces-187/ |access-date=November 14, 2024 |work=Altoona Mirror |date=March 20, 2021}} Topper previously served as a minister at a United Methodist Church in his hometown.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{CongLinks|votesmart=146934}}
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{{s-bef|before=Bryan Cutler}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives|years=2025–present}}
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{{Current Pennsylvania statewide political officials}}
{{U.S. State House Floor Leaders}}
{{Pennsylvania House of Representatives}}
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Category:21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Category:Pennsylvania Republicans
Category:People from Bedford, Pennsylvania
Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives