Richard Geist
Encyclopedia
Richard A. Geist is a Republican
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 79th District
and was elected in 1978.
He was elected to the House in 1978 and has won re-election to each succeeding session of the House.
In 2001, Geist briefly considered running for the vacant ninth district congressional seat
held by Rep. Bud Shuster
. He stayed out of the race, only offering himself as a compromise candidate between two rival factions.
He is Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee and House Committee on Committees. He also sits on the House Rules and Commerce Committees. Geist is a past president of the High Speed Ground Transportation Association and the first chairman of the Pennsylvania High-Speed Intercity Rail Passenger Commission.
and an associate degree from Penn State University - College of Engineering. He was also was a Kellogg Fellow and a graduate of the Public Affairs Leadership Program.
Geist and his wife reside in Altoona.
Republican 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...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
for the 79th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 79
The 79th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Blair County and includes the following areas:* Allegheny Township * Altoona* Logan Township-Representatives:...
and was elected in 1978.
Career
Prior to his election to the House, Geist worked as a senior manager with EADS, a civil engineering firm, in Altoona.He was elected to the House in 1978 and has won re-election to each succeeding session of the House.
In 2001, Geist briefly considered running for the vacant ninth district congressional seat
Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district is a relatively safe seat for the Republicans. In 2004, for example, the Republican candidate, former businessman Bill Shuster, won a convincing majority over his Democratic opponent winning 70% of the vote. In 2006, he defeated teacher Tony Barr 60%-40%...
held by Rep. Bud Shuster
Bud Shuster
Elmer Greinert "Bud" Shuster is an American politician who represented Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from 1973 to 2001. He is best known for his advocacy of transportation projects that critics deride as "pork barrel" spending.-Career:Shuster was born...
. He stayed out of the race, only offering himself as a compromise candidate between two rival factions.
He is Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee and House Committee on Committees. He also sits on the House Rules and Commerce Committees. Geist is a past president of the High Speed Ground Transportation Association and the first chairman of the Pennsylvania High-Speed Intercity Rail Passenger Commission.
Personal
Geist is a graduate of Altoona Area High SchoolAltoona Area High School
Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The high school serves the populations living in Altoona, Logan Township, and a small portion of Tyrone Township...
and an associate degree from Penn State University - College of Engineering. He was also was a Kellogg Fellow and a graduate of the Public Affairs Leadership Program.
Geist and his wife reside in Altoona.