Eric Weaknecht
Eric Weaknecht | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 5th district | |
| Assuming office January 7, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Barry Jozwiak |
| Sheriff of Berks County | |
| In office January 7, 2008[1] – December 2, 2024[2] | |
| Preceded by | Barry Jozwiak[3] |
| Succeeded by | Mandy Miller (acting)[4] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1965 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Kutztown Area High School[5] |
Eric J. Weaknecht[5] (born c. 1965)[3] is an American politician and former law enforcement officer who is the current representative-elect for the 5th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. A Republican, he will assume office in 2025. Weaknecht was previously the sheriff of Berks County, Pennsylvania, from 2008 to 2024.
Law enforcement career
[edit]Weaknecht began working as a deputy sheriff with the Sheriff's Office of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1984.[6] In 1996, Weaknecht was promoted to assistant chief deputy in charge of the court division. Three years later, Weaknecht became chief deputy sheriff.[1] He was elected sheriff in 2007 and was reelected four times.[6] In June 2012, Governor Tom Corbett appointed Weaknecht to the Deputy Sheriffs' Education and Training Board.[1] Governor Tom Wolf would reappoint Weaknecht to an addition two terms.[3] A month after his original appointment to the board, Weaknecht was elected secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association.[1]
Weaknecht was one of 70 American sheriffs who joined Protect America Now, group founded by Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb to push for "election integrity" following President Donald Trump's false claims of massive voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Concerns about election integrity led Weaknecht to station armed officers at ballot drop boxes during the 2020 and 2022 election.[7]
Political career
[edit]After Pennsylvania state representatives Barry Jozwiak retired in 2024, Weaknecht was elected to represent the 5th district after defeating Democratic candidate Heather Hanna in the general election.[6]
Political positions
[edit]Weaknecht opposes sanctuary city policies and red flag laws. [8] He believes Pennsylvania has enough gun laws and should focus on enforcement rather than making new laws.[9]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Weaknecht | 33,948 | 51.07 | |
| Democratic | Mike Garipoli | 32,512 | 48.91 | |
| Write-in | 16 | 0.02 | ||
| Total votes | 66,476 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Weaknecht (incumbent) | 34,233 | 65.42 | |
| Democratic | Daniel Billings | 18,077 | 34.55 | |
| Write-in | 15 | 0.03 | ||
| Total votes | 52,325 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Weaknecht (incumbent) | 37,167 | 65.05 | |
| Democratic | Lester Klock | 19,954 | 34.93 | |
| Write-in | 12 | 0.02 | ||
| Total votes | 57,133 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Weaknecht (incumbent) | 45,515 | 60.24 | |
| Democratic | Bart Ganster | 30,004 | 39.71 | |
| Write-in | 39 | 0.05 | ||
| Total votes | 75,558 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic/Republican | Eric Weaknecht (incumbent) | 72,918 | 99.23 | |
| Write-in | 564 | 0.77 | ||
| Total votes | 73,482 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Weaknecht | 23,664 | 66.66 | |
| Democratic | Heather Hanna | 11,801 | 33.24 | |
| Write-in | 36 | 0.10 | ||
| Total votes | 35,501 | 100.00 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Sheriff Eric Weaknecht Bio" (PDF). Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Shuey, Karen (December 3, 2024). "Longtime Berks law enforcement official sworn in as sheriff". The Mercury. Reading Eagle. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Shuey, Karen (January 30, 2024). "Berks County sheriff running for state house seat in the 5th District". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Deputy to fill remainder of sheriff's term following Weaknecht's win of 5th District seat". WFMZ-TV. November 6, 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Representative Eric J. Weaknecht". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Cole, John (December 16, 2024). "Agriculture/Pa. Farms Government & Politics State Rep.-elect Eric Weaknecht wants to help small businesses and the agriculture community". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Ortega, Bob; Chapman, Isabelle; Devine, Curt (November 3, 2022). "Law enforcement ratchets up presence in voting process as some sheriffs push election conspiracy theories". CNN. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Mekeel, David (September 23, 2021). "Berks County row office candidates make pitch for election". The Mercury. Reading Eagle. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Rearden, Caitlin (November 8, 2024). "Sheriff Eric Weaknecht preparing for new role as state lawmaker". WFMZ-TV. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Muncipal Election November 6, 2007 Official Election Results Offices" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. p. 2. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "NOVEMBER 8, 2011 MUNICIPAL RESULTS GRAND TOTALS CERTIFIED Offices" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. p. 2. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "CERTIFIED GRAND TOTALS NOVEMBER 3, 2015 MUNICIPAL ELECTION" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. p. 3. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Summary Results Report 2019 MUNICIPAL November 5, 2019 Berks County" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. December 30, 2019. p. 4. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Summary Results Report 2023 Municipal Election November 7, 2023 Berks County" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. December 7, 2023. p. 4. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Summary Results Report 2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Berks County" (PDF). Berks County, Pennsylvania. November 22, 2024. p. 5. Retrieved 3 January 2025.