Frank Andrews Shimkus
Encyclopedia
Frank Andrews Shimkus is a retired broadcaster and Democratic
politician in Pennsylvania
.
Shimkus grew up in the High Works neighborhood of Scranton. He graduated from the University of Scranton
in 1973 with a degree in English. He then went into broadcasting, despite the misgivings of his father (who thought broadcasters were carnies
). After working as an announcer at WEJL
in Scranton and WCAU
in Philadelphia, he went into television. He served as an anchor and reporter at WNEP-TV
in Scranton from 1980 to 1998, doubling for much of that time as news director. After a brief two-year hiatus, he moved to WYOU
as anchor and news director. During his broadcasting career, he was known on-air as "Frank Andrews."
While still at WNEP, Shimkus earned a master's degree in theology from Antietam Bible College in 1993 and a doctorate in biblical studies from the same institution two years later. He currently serves as the part-time pastor of Trinity Congregational United Church of Christ
in Scranton.
Shimkus resigned from WYOU in March 2006 to run for the state house
, winning a 5-way Democratic primary to succeed the retiring Gaynor Cawley
in a district that included almost 60 percent of Scranton. He went on to easily win the general election.
His bid for a second term was derailed by disputes over his residency. He'd lived in South Abington, a suburb of Scranton, for many years. Midway through his term, he moved in with his fiancee in Throop
on the advice of his doctors, who suggested he shouldn't live alone after suffering several concussions. He listed a house in Scranton owned by his daughter and son-in-law as his primary residence when he filed for the Democratic primary. Shimkus' primary opponent, former Scranton city councilman Kevin Murphy, and two others filed a petition to have Shimkus thrown off the ballot citing the residency issue. The Scranton and Throop houses are in the district. Nevertheless, a Commonwealth Court judge granted the petition on March 14, 2008; finding that Shimkus intentionally misrepresented his address. Since no Republican even filed in this heavily Democratic district, this appeared to hand the nomination—and the seat—to Murphy.
In an unusual move, Shimkus then mounted a write-in
bid for both the Democratic and Republican nominations. He lost the Democratic primary to Murphy by only 107 votes, but easily won the Republican primary. However, he stated that he intended to remain a Democrat. In the November election, Shimkus lost to Murphy by 1,300 votes.
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...
politician in Pennsylvania
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...
.
Shimkus grew up in the High Works neighborhood of Scranton. He graduated from the University of Scranton
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to a...
in 1973 with a degree in English. He then went into broadcasting, despite the misgivings of his father (who thought broadcasters were carnies
Carny
Carny or carnie is a slang term used in North America and, along with showie, in Australia for a carnival employee, as well as the language they employ...
). After working as an announcer at WEJL
WEJL
WEJL is a radio station broadcasting in Scranton, Pennsylvania on the AM dial at 630 kHz. Its programming is simulcast on WBAX in Wilkes-Barre, at 1240 kHz and WQFM in Forest City at 100.1 MHz. The two stations, known on-air as ESPN Radio 630-1240, broadcast sports talk programming from...
in Scranton and WCAU
WPHT
WPHT is a CBS Radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting on 1210 kHz. A 50,000-watt clear-channel station, it broadcasts in an omnidirectional pattern that allows it to cover most of the eastern half of North America at night. It uses the nickname "Talk Radio 1210 WPHT." The...
in Philadelphia, he went into television. He served as an anchor and reporter at WNEP-TV
WNEP-TV
WNEP-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for northeastern Pennsylvania licensed to Scranton. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 50 from a transmitter on Penobscot Knob in Mountain Top...
in Scranton from 1980 to 1998, doubling for much of that time as news director. After a brief two-year hiatus, he moved to WYOU
WYOU
WYOU is the CBS-affiliated television station for Northeastern Pennsylvania that is licensed to Scranton. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 13 from a transmitter at the Penobscot Knob tower farm near Mountain Top...
as anchor and news director. During his broadcasting career, he was known on-air as "Frank Andrews."
While still at WNEP, Shimkus earned a master's degree in theology from Antietam Bible College in 1993 and a doctorate in biblical studies from the same institution two years later. He currently serves as the part-time pastor of Trinity Congregational United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
in Scranton.
Shimkus resigned from WYOU in March 2006 to run for the state house
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
, winning a 5-way Democratic primary to succeed the retiring Gaynor Cawley
Gaynor Cawley
Gaynor Cawley is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1960 graduate of St. Patrick's High School and attended University of Scranton....
in a district that included almost 60 percent of Scranton. He went on to easily win the general election.
His bid for a second term was derailed by disputes over his residency. He'd lived in South Abington, a suburb of Scranton, for many years. Midway through his term, he moved in with his fiancee in Throop
Throop, Pennsylvania
Throop is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, adjoining Scranton. Formerly, coal mining and silk manufacturing provided employment for the people of Throop, who numbered 2,204 in 1900 and 5,133 in 1910. In 1940, 7,382 people lived in Throop, Pennsylvania...
on the advice of his doctors, who suggested he shouldn't live alone after suffering several concussions. He listed a house in Scranton owned by his daughter and son-in-law as his primary residence when he filed for the Democratic primary. Shimkus' primary opponent, former Scranton city councilman Kevin Murphy, and two others filed a petition to have Shimkus thrown off the ballot citing the residency issue. The Scranton and Throop houses are in the district. Nevertheless, a Commonwealth Court judge granted the petition on March 14, 2008; finding that Shimkus intentionally misrepresented his address. Since no Republican even filed in this heavily Democratic district, this appeared to hand the nomination—and the seat—to Murphy.
In an unusual move, Shimkus then mounted a write-in
Write-in candidate
A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Some states and local jurisdictions allow a voter to affix a sticker with a write-in candidate's name on it to the ballot in lieu...
bid for both the Democratic and Republican nominations. He lost the Democratic primary to Murphy by only 107 votes, but easily won the Republican primary. However, he stated that he intended to remain a Democrat. In the November election, Shimkus lost to Murphy by 1,300 votes.
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Frank Andrews Shimkus official PA House website
- Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus - Representative Frank Andrews Shimkus official Party website
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...