Parke Wentling

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Parke Wentling

| image =

| office = Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

| term_start = {{start date|2015|1|6}}

| term_end =

| predecessor = Michele Brooks

| successor =

| constituency = 17th District (2015-2022)
7th District (2023-present)

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|5|14}}

| birth_place = Greenville, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| residence = Greenville, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| party = Republican

| spouse = Jennifer

| children = 2

| alma_mater = California University of Pennsylvania (BS, MS)

| education =

| occupation =

| religion =

| website = [http://www.repwentling.com/ Official website]

}}

Parke H. Wentling (born {{Date|05/14/1972|MDY}}) is an American politician and current member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 7th District since 2023. A Republican, Wentling previously represented the 17th District from 2015 until 2022.

Early life, education, and career

Wentling was born on May 14, 1972, in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Greenville and graduated from Greenville Area High School in 1990.{{cite web |title=About Parke |url=https://repwentling.com/about |website=PA State Rep. Parke Wentling |access-date=7 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=Parke H. Wentling |url=https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=5666 |website=Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives |access-date=7 January 2023}} Wentling earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and a Master in Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2010. From 1997 to 2014, Wentling taught at Wilmington Area School District.

Political career

In 2014, Wentling was first elected to represent the 17th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was twice re-elected to represent the 17th District in 2018 and 2020. Following redistricting, Wentling was moved to the 7th District, which he was elected to represent in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Gauntner |first1=Mike |title=Decision 2022: Pennsylvania Representative, Parke Wentling wins re-election |url=https://www.wfmj.com/story/47661598/decision-2022-pennsylvania-representative-parke-wentling-wins-reelection |access-date=7 January 2023 |work=WFMJ-TV |date=November 9, 2022}}

In 2019, Wentling was chosen to chair the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.{{cite news |title=Rep. Wentling elected to state conservation committee |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/10/rep-wentling-elected-to-state/2112333007/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=Erie Times-News |date=December 10, 2019}} a body he has served on since 2017.

In 2021, Wentling, a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, penned an op-ed where he denounced historical markers falling victim to "revisionist history driven by woke cancel culture." He contended that the Commission's implementation of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access led to markers getting removed for ideological reasons, comparing the Commission to the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. Wentling also blamed "unelected bureaucrat far-left ideologues within [Governor Tom Wolf's] administration using their positions to implement a belief system they cannot enact through legislative means." and suggested privatizing the erection and maintenance of historical markers.{{cite news |last1=Wentling |first1=Parke |title=Pennsylvania’s history should reflect facts, not ideology |url=https://www.cityandstatepa.com/opinion/2021/10/pennsylvanias-history-should-reflect-facts-not-ideology/364389/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=City & State Pennsylvania |date=October 28, 2021}} A spokesman for the Commission partially pushedback on Wentling's assertions, stating that any markers that were removed were done so because of "outdated cultural references" written by the Commission's predecessor body. The spokesman also said any removals or replacements were done with the cooperation of historical experts.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Cassie |title=Rep. Wentling floats privatizing ‘historical recognitions,’ criticizes PA diversity efforts |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/state/2021/11/09/wentling-privatize-historical-markers-criticizes-diversity-efforts/6316115001/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=GoErie |agency=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |date=November 8, 2021}}

Personal life

Wentling lives in Greenville, Pennsylvania with his wife Jennifer and their two children. They attend Zion’s Reformed Church in Greenville where Wentling also serves as a deacon.

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican primary election, District 17{{cite web |title=2014 General Primary Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Official Returns CRAWFORD |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/Home/CountyResults?countyName=CRAWFORD&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Primary Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Official Returns ERIE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/Home/CountyResults?countyName=ERIE&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Primary Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Official Returns LAWRENCE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/Home/CountyResults?countyName=LAWRENCE&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Primary Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Official Returns MERCER |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/Home/CountyResults?countyName=MERCER&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}

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

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling

|votes=2,039

|percentage=42.71

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

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Edward J. Franz

|votes=1,363

|percentage=28.55

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

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Gary J. Temple

|votes=613

|percentage=12.84

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

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Patrick James Gehrlein

|votes=582

|percentage=12.19

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

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=David George Biros

|votes=177

|percentage=3.71

}}{{Election box total no change|votes=4,774|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 17{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Official Returns CRAWFORD |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/General/CountyResults?countyName=CRAWFORD&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0|access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Official Returns MERCER |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/General/CountyResults?countyName=MERCER&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Official Returns ERIE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/General/CountyResults?countyName=ERIE&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Official Returns LAWRENCE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/General/CountyResults?countyName=LAWRENCE&ElectionID=41&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=25 June 2024}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling

|votes=11,197

|percentage=67.32

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

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Wayne E. Hanson

|votes=5,435

|percentage=32.68

}}{{Election box total no change|votes=16,632|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 17{{cite web |title=MERCER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2016 |url=https://www.mercercountypa.gov/election/Election.Results/2016/General/SUMMARY.HTM |website=Mercer County, Pennsylvania |access-date=25 June 2024 |date=November 22, 2016}}{{cite web |title=General Election - Official Erie County, PA |url=https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2016-gen-official.pdf |website=Erie County, Pennsylvania |access-date=25 June 2024 |pages=7–9 |format=PDF |date=November 22, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Lawrence County General Election November 8, 2016 |url=https://lawrencecountypa.gov/getmedia/6b22605e-ef6c-4a0d-995b-e249d9a0bfca/2016-General-Election-Results-Nov-8,-2016.pdf |website=Lawrence County, Pennsylvania |access-date=25 June 2024 |page=2 |format=PDF |date=December 5, 2016}}{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL COMPUTATION OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION Tuesday, November 8, 2016 FEDERAL & STATE OFFICES |url=https://www.crawfordcountypa.net/VoterServices/Documents/GeneralArchives/2016%20Gen%20Official.pdf |website=Crawford County, Pennsylvania |access-date=25 June 2024 |page=67 |format=PDF}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling (incumbent)

|votes=18,937

|percentage=71.27

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

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Wayne E. Hanson

|votes=7,633

|percentage=28.73

}}{{Election box total no change|votes=26,570|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 17{{cite web |title=MERCER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 6, 2018 |url=https://www.mercercountypa.gov/election/Election.Results/2018/GENERAL/SUMMARY.HTM |website=Mercer County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |date=November 26, 2018}}{{cite web |title=2018 General Election Erie County, PA |url=https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/unofficial-general-election-precinct-results-1.pdf |website=Erie County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |pages=4–6 |format=PDF |date=November 13, 2018}}{{cite web |title=GENERAL ELECTION OFFICIAL RESULTS LAWRENCE COUNTY PA NOVEMBER 6, 2018 |url=https://lawrencecountypa.gov/getmedia/9ebe807f-ecfd-4002-9eaf-41ebf5ccc08e/2018-General-Election-Results-Nov-6,-2018.pdf |website=Lawrence County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=2 |format=PDF |date=December 14, 2018}}{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL COMPUTATION OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION Tuesday, November 6, 2018 FEDERAL & STATE OFFICES |url=https://www.crawfordcountypa.net/VoterServices/Documents/GeneralArchives/2018_General_Results.pdf |website=Crawford County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=65 |format=PDF}}}}{{Election box candidate unopposed with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling (incumbent)

|votes=

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

|votes=12,934|percentage=100.00}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 17{{cite web |title=Summary Results Report GENERAL ELECTION November 3, 2020 OFFICIAL RESULTS Mercer County |url=https://www.mercercountypa.gov/election/Election.Results/2020/GENERAL/SUMMARY.pdf |website=Mercer County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=5 |format=PDF |date=November 19, 2020}}{{cite web |title=2020 Presidential Election Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Official Returns ERIE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/_ENR/General/CountyResults?countyName=ERIE&ElectionID=83&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |access-date=26 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Summary Results Report 2020 GENERAL November 3, 2020 OFFICIAL RESULTS Lawrence County |url=https://lawrencecountypa.gov/getmedia/5907e8fa-afa2-4d43-a646-6e47d52ffd94/2020-General-Election-Results-Nov-3,-2020.pdf |website=Lawrence County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=4 |date=December 11, 2020}}{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL COMPUTATION OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION Tuesday, November 3, 2020 FEDERAL & STATE OFFICES |url=https://www.crawfordcountypa.net/VoterServices/Documents/GeneralArchives/General2020Results-Final.pdf |website=Crawford County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=13 |format=PDF}}}}

{{Election box candidate unopposed with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling (incumbent)

|votes=

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

|votes=26,567|percentage=100.00}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 7{{cite web |title=General Election 2022 Federal November 8, 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS Mercer |url=https://www.mercercountypa.gov/election/Election.Results/2022/GENERAL/SUMMARY.pdf |website=Mercer County, Pennsylvania |access-date=26 June 2024 |page=5 |date=November 29, 2022}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Parke Wentling

|votes=13,559

|percentage=51.36

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

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Timothy M. McGonigle

|votes=12,818

|percentage=48.55

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

|party=Write-in