Josh Maxwell

Personal life and education

Maxwell, a native of Downingtown, was active in the community, serving as a church deacon and participating in community service project. He graduated from Downingtown High School. Maxwell holds a BA from West Chester University and an MPA from the University of Pennsylvania.

DUI Arrest and Disposition

Maxwell was stopped by Pennsylvania State Trooper on August 20, 2011, at a routine sobriety checkpoint on Route 322 in West Bradford Township. He failed the field sobriety test and a breath test indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 or above. In September 2011, Maxwell waived his preliminary hearing and entered the county's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which offers nonviolent first-time offenders a clean slate if they complete requirements such as community service and treatment programs.

Political career

Maxwell began his career in politics while still in college, serving on the Planning Commission of Downingtown. On the Planning Commission, he helped write various city ordinances and “people liked what I had to do and asked me to run,” Maxwell said.

Mayor of Downingtown

Mayor of Downingtown is a largely ceremonial position paying $2,500 per annum.

On March 20, 2014, he signed into law an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations in Downingtown. This made Downingtown the 34th municipality in Pennsylvania to do so.

2009 election

In 2009, Maxwell ran for office of mayor of Downingtown. On November 3, 2009, he defeated Republican Nick Winkler. In January 2010, he was sworn in as mayor of Downingtown.

2013 election

In 2013, Maxwell ran for reelection for mayor of Downingtown. On November 5, 2013, Maxwell defeated Tony L. Babcock and was re-elected mayor of Downingtown.

155th district

In the 2012 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, Maxwell ran in the 155th district of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and lost to the Republican Becky Corbin on November 6, 2012.

74th district

In the 2014 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, Maxwell ran in the 74th district of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In the Democratic primary, he defeated Joshua Young to win the parties nomination. He lost to Republican Harry Lewis, Jr. on November 4, 2014.

Political views

Maxwell is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, has spoken publicly about stopping gun violence, supporting background checks, and supporting an assault weapons ban. He also supports levying a severance tax on fracking. He is pro-choice and believes more should be done to prevent domestic violence. He opposes proposals to require voter ID in Pennsylvania. Maxwell supports inclusive non-discrimination laws, is a member of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, and supports LGBT rights at all levels, including same-sex marriage.