Melissa Shusterman

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Melissa Shusterman press conference.jpg

| imagesize =

| name = Melissa Shusterman

| caption = Shusterman in 2022

| state_house = Pennsylvania

| district = 157th

| term_start = January 1, 2019{{cite web | title = Shusterman sworn in for first term as state representative | work = Daily Local News | date = 2019-01-03 | url = https://www.dailylocal.com/news/shusterman-sworn-in-for-first-term-as-state-representative/article_feaec880-0f6e-11e9-9dc3-2fb6dbc9ddb2.html | access-date =2019-02-27}}

| term_end =

| predecessor = Warren Kampf

| party = Democratic

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|09|08|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Augusta, Georgia, US

| residence = Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania

| religion =

| occupation =

| alma_mater = Conestoga High School

Lafayette College
American University

| children = 1

| website = {{URL|www.pahouse.com/shusterman|Official Website}}
{{URL|melissashusterman.com|Campaign Website}}

}}

Melissa Shusterman (born September 8, 1967) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 157th District, which covers parts of Chester County and Montgomery County. She was elected in 2018.

Early life and education

Shusterman was born in Augusta, Georgia and raised in Tredyffrin Township. She attended Conestoga High School. In 1989, she graduated from Lafayette College with a bachelor's degree in Russian Studies and History. She later obtained a master's degree in Film and Television from American University in Washington, DC. Shusterman returned to the Chester County area and launched [https://fedora-media.com/ Fedora Media], a video production company, while raising her son as a single mother.{{Cite web|last=Media|first=Digital First|title=Shusterman announces candidacy for state representative in 157th District|url=https://www.dailylocal.com/news/shusterman-announces-candidacy-for-state-representative-in-157th-district/article_f78e3fa6-e8ca-5e45-849c-30c60e1a0764.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=Daily Local News|language=en}}

Career

Shusterman was first elected in 2018, successfully unseating four-term incumbent Republican Representative Warren Kampf with 57 percent of the vote.{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Chris|date=2018-11-07|title=Pa. House and Senate remain in Republican control despite Democratic gains|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=https://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/elections-2018-pennsylvania-legislature-results-house-senate-20181106.html|access-date=2019-02-26}} During her campaign, she was endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, and the Sierra Club,{{Cite web|date=2018-06-27|title=Endorsements Fall 2018|url=https://www.sierraclub.org/pennsylvania/southeastern/endorsements-fall-2018|access-date=2020-09-26|website=Sierra Club|language=en}} as well as by former President Barack Obama.{{Cite web|title=President Obama Issues Second Round of Midterm Endorsements|url=https://www.charlestonchronicle.net/2018/10/09/president-obama-issues-second-round-of-midterm-endorsements/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010121523/https://www.charlestonchronicle.net/2018/10/09/president-obama-issues-second-round-of-midterm-endorsements/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 10, 2018|access-date=2020-09-26|website=The Charleston Chronicle|language=en-US}} Her committee assignments include the Aging and Older Adult Services, Children & Youth, Commerce, and Rules.{{Cite web|title=Representative Melissa L. Shusterman|url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/House_bio.cfm?id=1851|access-date=2022-01-29|website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=English}} Shusterman also serves as Democratic secretary of the Judiciary committee.{{Cite web|last=Group|first=MediaNews|title=Rep. Shusterman appointed secretary of Pa. House Judiciary Committee|url=https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/rep-shusterman-appointed-secretary-of-pa-house-judiciary-committee/article_46a828a8-61da-11e9-9825-5f5be3e43f29.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=Daily Local News|language=en}} Shusterman is the first freshman representative to serve as a deputy whip for her party.{{Cite web|last=Caucus|first=Pennsylvania House Democratic|date=2019-01-17|title=Shusterman named Deputy Freshman Whip|url=https://www.pahouse.com/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=103862|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.pahouse.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Shusterman resides in Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania with her husband Hans and son Paris.{{cite web|title=Rep. Melissa Shusterman Biography|publisher=Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus|year=2019|url=http://www.pahouse.com/Shusterman/About/Biography|access-date=2019-02-27}}