Rick Saccone

Education and career

Saccone received a bachelor's degree in psychology/criminal justice from Weber State College in 1981, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1984, and a master's degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1987. He was an United States Air Force officer, working in the Office of Special Investigation.

After retiring from the Air Force, Saccone was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army during the Iraq War, working in Iraq from 2004-05.

According to his official and campaign biographies, Saccone worked as an anchor for an English-language television news station in South Korea, and also worked for businesses in South Korea and Central America. Saccone's official biography also states that he worked in North Korea on "an agreement meant to prevent the development of nuclear weapons there."

Saccone received a Ph.D. in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002. He was later on the faculty of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

In 2010, Saccone challenged incumbent Democratic Rep. David Levdansky for the 39th District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and defeated Levdansky by 151 votes (50.3% to 49.7%). evdansky challenged Saccone to a rematch in 2012; Saccone defeated him again by a margin of 50.2%-49.8%.

Saccone was re-elected with 60% of the vote in 2014 and 70% in 2016. The district includes part of Allegheny County and part of Washington County.

Saccone is one of the most conservative members of the State Assembly. He is also known for his strong advocacy of gun rights. In 2017, Saccone sponsored at least four bills seeking to expand the rights of gun owners; one such bill would amend state law to prohibit discrimination against gun carriers; a co-sponsorship memorandum for the bill criticized Chuck E. Cheese's for its "policy barring customers from carrying firearms inside" the venue.

In 2013, Saccone attracted attention for introducing the National Motto Display Act, a bill to require public school districts in Pennsylvania to post "In God We Trust" (the national motto) in every school building.

The 2013 legislation failed, but in 2016, Saccone co-sponsored similar legislation (which would encourage but not mandate the posting of the motto in schools). The bill passed on a 179-20 vote in May 2016. The legislation was criticized by secular advocacy groups, such as the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Also in 2013, Saccone sponsored a "day of prayer" resolution, seeking to designate April 30 as a National Fast Day.

In January 2012, Saccone introduced to the state House a nonbinding resolution (Resolution No. 535) to declare 2012 as the "Year of the Bible" in Pennsylvania. The resolution passed unanimously, but was criticized by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The resolution drew considerable political controversy in Pennsylvania, as well as national attention.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a federal lawsuit over the resolution, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Saccone, alleging a violation of the Establishment Clause. U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner dismissed the suit on the grounds of legislative immunity, but criticized the legislature for using state resources to "provide a re-election sound bite for use by members of the General Assembly."

2018 U.S. Senate run

In February 2017, Saccone filed with the FEC to run for United States Senate in the 2018 election, seeking to challenge incumbent Bob Casey, Jr., and officially declared his candidacy later that month. Saccone is a supporter of Donald Trump and has pledged to be a Trump ally if elected to the Senate.

Saccone is running against state Representative Jim Christiana and Berwick borough councilman Andrew Shecktor.

Personal life

Saccone is a Baptist. He is married and has two sons.