Paul Friel
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Paul Friel
| image = Representative Paul Friel.jpg
| caption = Official portrait of State Representative Paul Friel
| district = 26th
| termstart = January 3, 2023
| predecessor = Tim Hennessey
| state_house = Pennsylvania
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| education = {{unbulleted list|Temple University}}
| party = Democratic
| residence = East Vincent Township, Pennsylvania
| website = {{URL|www.pahouse.com/friel|Official website}}
| signature =
}}
Paul Friel is an American businessman and politician currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 26th District in Chester County, Pennsylvania. A member of the Democratic Party, Friel was elected in 2022 and assumed office on January 3, 2023, succeeding longtime Republican representative Tim Hennessey.
Early life and education
Friel is a lifelong resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School and earned his degree from Temple University.{{cite web |title=Meet Rep. Paul Friel |url=https://www.pahouse.com/Friel/About |website=PA House Democrats |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
Career
Before entering politics, Friel was the director of operations at his family's cabinet manufacturing business, known for employing local workers and supporting regional economic development. He also served on the Owen J. Roberts School District Board of Directors, including time as board president.{{cite web |title=Candidate Profile: Paul Friel For State Representative, 26th District |url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/phoenixville/candidate-profile-paul-friel-state-representative-26th-district |website=Patch |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Friel was elected to the Pennsylvania House in November 2022, defeating Republican incumbent Tim Hennessey, who had held the seat since 1993. His platform focused on public education funding, environmental protection, and bipartisan governance.{{cite news |title=Democrat Paul Friel wins 26th House District seat |url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2022/11/09/democrat-paul-friel-wins-26th-house-district-seat/ |work=Daily Local News |date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
District profile
The 26th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is located in Chester County and includes the following municipalities:{{cite web |title=Find Your Legislator – Chester County |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=CHESTER |publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
Personal life
Friel lives in East Vincent Township with his wife and children.{{cite web |title=About Representative Paul Friel |url=https://www.pahouse.com/Friel/About |website=PA House Democrats |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{URL|www.pahouse.com/friel|Official Web Site}}
- [https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Friel_(Pennsylvania) Paul Friel on Ballotpedia]
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{{s-par|us-pa-hs}}
{{s-bef| before = Tim Hennessey}}
{{s-ttl| title = Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 26th district| years = 2023–present}}
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{{s-end}}
{{Pennsylvania House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friel, Paul}}
Category:Democratic Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Politicians from Chester County, Pennsylvania
Category:21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly