Scott Perry (politician)

Early life and education

Perry began his working career at age 13 picking fruit in Mechanicsburg. In 1980, he graduated from Northern High School and the Cumberland-Perry Vo-Tech School. In 1991, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Management. In July 2012, he earned a master's degree in strategic planning from the US Army War College.

Army National Guard

Perry began his military career in 1980 when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, graduating Advanced Individual Training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia as a technical drafting specialist. He graduated from Pennsylvania's Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery. In November 2015, Perry was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

War in Iraq

In February 2008, he assumed command of the 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, in which he managed the unit's mobilization to and preparation at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, for its eventual deployment and combat mission as Task Force Diablo in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Task Force was credited with flying 1,400 missions, accruing over 13,000 combat flight hours, transporting over 3 million pounds of cargo and 43,000 soldiers and passengers (including civilian). As TF Commander, Perry flew 44 missions, accruing nearly 200 combat flight hours. Perry currently serves as Commander of the HQ 166th Regional Training Institute, Pennsylvania National Guard.

Hydrotech

In 1993, Perry founded Hydrotech Mechanical Services, Inc., a mechanical contracting firm in Dillsburg. The firm provides contract construction and maintenance services to municipal and investor-owned utilities from North Carolina to New York specializing in large meter calibration. In 2002, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection accused the company of altering sewage monitoring reports while doing work for the Memphord Estates Sewage Treatment Company. Perry faced charges of conspiring to falsify state-mandated sewage records. Upon review of the situation and circumstances, he was allowed to complete a diversion program and avoid any charges, which allowed him to keep his U.S security clearance. Perry maintains his innocence.

Elections

In 2006, State Representative Bruce Smith of Pennsylvania's 92nd House District decided to retire. Perry won the Republican primary with 41% of the vote. He won the general election with 71% of the vote. He took office on January 2, 2007. In 2008, He won re-election to a second term unopposed. In 2010, he won re-election to a third term unopposed.

Elections

In 2012, Perry gave up his state house seat to run for the 4th congressional district. The district had previously been the 19th District, represented by six-term incumbent Republican Todd Platts, who was giving up the seat to honor a self-imposed term limit. In 2010, when Platts wanted to become the U.S. Comptroller General, he spoke to Perry about his running for the seat.

Perry won a seven-way primary with over 50% of the vote. Although being outspent nearly 2 to 1 throughout the campaign he was able to beat his closest competitor on election day with nearly 3 times as many votes.

On November 6, 2012, Perry defeated Democrat Harry Perkinson 60%–34%.

In 2014, Perry was unchallenged in the Republican primary. His Democratic party challenger in the general election was former mayor of Harrisburg, Linda D. Thompson. Perry won the general election 75%–25%.

Perry was unchallenged in the 2016 Republican primary. His Democratic Party challenger in the general election was Joshua Burkholder of Harrisburg. Perry won the election 66%–34%.