Donald A. Bailey
Encyclopedia
Donald Allen "Don" Bailey (born July 21, 1945) is an American politician and lawyer, from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
. He was a Democratic
member of the United States House of Representatives
from 1979 to 1983, Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 1989, and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States Senate
and Governor of Pennsylvania. His Congressional District (PA-21) included all of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
with a sliver of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
, prior to the 1981 redistricting.
in 1967. He was a member of both his high school and college football teams. He also has a record for the discus in Greensburg High school.
, serving with the 82nd
and 101st
Airborne
Divisions in Vietnam
. He was awarded Silver Star
, three Bronze Stars
, two with the Valor device
, one for meritorious achievement, Army Commendation Medal, with "V" for Valor, Air Medal
, and a second Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
" jobs, including as a steelworker at J. & L. Steel Corp.
, during which time he was a member of the United Steelworkers of America. He also graduated from Duquesne University
School of Law with a J.D.
, in 1976, on the G.I. Bill. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar association
the same year.
victory that year, garnering about 70% of the vote. Bailey served on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means
. He was generally considered as a moderate-to-conservative Democrat.
In 1982, after redistricting by the state legislature, Bailey's district was one of two eliminated as a result of slow-growth in Pennsylvania compared to other states. Most of his district, including his home in Westmoreland County, was merged with the 12th District
of fellow Democrat and Vietnam veteran John Murtha
, who had been serving since 1974
. Even though the primary was closely fought, Bailey lost largely because Murtha retained nearly all of his old district. Interestingly, when the Republican nominee for the seat withdrew the same year, Bailey was seriously considered as a replacement; he came in a very strong second at the Republican nominating convention held that year.
seat of Arlen Specter
in 1986. In a close race in 1988, he lost his reelection bid for Auditor General to then-Republican Barbara Hafer
(her first statewide run).
Bailey ran for Auditor General again in 1992, and lost the Democratic primary. He also lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to Ivan Itkin
in 1998.
. His specialties include civil rights
. He is also quoted as calling himself, an "equal opportunity suer http://www.lawyersweeklyusa.com/lotybailey2004.cfm" and does take clients litigating with both Democrats and Republicans.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1979 to 1983, Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 1989, and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and Governor of Pennsylvania. His Congressional District (PA-21) included all of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile...
with a sliver of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, prior to the 1981 redistricting.
Early education and college football career
Bailey was born in Allegheny County and was raised there and Westmoreland County. His parents were Glenn and Anna Bailey. He graduated from Greensburg High School in 1963. He received a BA from the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1967. He was a member of both his high school and college football teams. He also has a record for the discus in Greensburg High school.
Vietnam War service
After college he entered the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, serving with the 82nd
U.S. 82nd Airborne Division
The 82nd Airborne Division is an active airborne infantry division of the United States Army specializing in parachute landing operations. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division is the primary fighting arm of the XVIII Airborne Corps....
and 101st
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
Divisions in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. He was awarded Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, three Bronze Stars
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, two with the Valor device
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
, one for meritorious achievement, Army Commendation Medal, with "V" for Valor, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, and a second Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
Law school education
After Vietnam, Bailey, worked at a number of "blue collarBlue-collar worker
A blue-collar worker is a member of the working class who performs manual labor. Blue-collar work may involve skilled or unskilled, manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance, technical installation and many other types of physical work...
" jobs, including as a steelworker at J. & L. Steel Corp.
Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
The earliest foundations of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company were the American Iron Company, founded in 1851 by Bernard Lauth, and B. F. Jones founded in 1852a few miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Lauth's interest was bought in 1854 by James H. Laughlin...
, during which time he was a member of the United Steelworkers of America. He also graduated from Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
School of Law with a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, in 1976, on the G.I. Bill. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
the same year.
United States House of Representatives
After a very contested primary and very close general election, Bailey was elected to the United States House from the state's 21st District in 1978. He won a reelection bid in 1980, despite the general RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
victory that year, garnering about 70% of the vote. Bailey served on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means
United States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
. He was generally considered as a moderate-to-conservative Democrat.
In 1982, after redistricting by the state legislature, Bailey's district was one of two eliminated as a result of slow-growth in Pennsylvania compared to other states. Most of his district, including his home in Westmoreland County, was merged with the 12th District
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district is represented by Congressman Mark Critz after a special election was held on May 18, 2010 following the death of Democrat John Murtha. The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of R+1...
of fellow Democrat and Vietnam veteran John Murtha
John Murtha
John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010....
, who had been serving since 1974
United States House election, 1974
The U.S. House election, 1974 was an election for the United States House of Representatives in 1974 that occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, which had forced President Richard M. Nixon to resign in favor of Gerald Ford...
. Even though the primary was closely fought, Bailey lost largely because Murtha retained nearly all of his old district. Interestingly, when the Republican nominee for the seat withdrew the same year, Bailey was seriously considered as a replacement; he came in a very strong second at the Republican nominating convention held that year.
Auditor General of Pennsylvania
In 1984, Bailey won the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania Auditor General in a hotly contested primary; he handily won in November. He was the only Democratic nominee to win statewide that year. During his tenure as Auditor General, Bailey established the first work-site child daycare facility in Pennsylvania government, established minimum education standards for state auditors, and generally modernized auditing procedures.United States Senate and Pennsylvania Governor Races
Despite Bailey's electoral success in 1984, he lost a bitter primary battle with then Congressman Bob Edgar for the SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat of Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...
in 1986. In a close race in 1988, he lost his reelection bid for Auditor General to then-Republican Barbara Hafer
Barbara Hafer
Barbara Hafer is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.-Early political career:...
(her first statewide run).
Bailey ran for Auditor General again in 1992, and lost the Democratic primary. He also lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to Ivan Itkin
Ivan Itkin
Ivan Itkin is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was his party's nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1998.-Early life:...
in 1998.
Legal career
Since leaving the Auditor General office in 1989, Bailey has been a full time attorney, based in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. His specialties include civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
. He is also quoted as calling himself, an "equal opportunity suer http://www.lawyersweeklyusa.com/lotybailey2004.cfm" and does take clients litigating with both Democrats and Republicans.
Trivia
- Bailey was the most decorated military veteran in the United States House during the 97th United States Congress97th United States CongressThe Ninety-seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 1983, during the final weeks of...
.
- As an all-star college football player, Bailey played in the 1965 Rose BowlRose Bowl GameThe Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
and North/South All Star Game.