Garth Everett Explained

Garth D. Everett
State House:Pennsylvania
District:84th
Term Start:January 2, 2007
Term End:November 30, 2020
Predecessor:Brett Feese
Successor:Joseph D. Hamm
Birth Date:28 January 1954
Birth Place:Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party:Republican
Education:Pennsylvania State University (BS, JD)
Children:2
Serviceyears:1976–1997
Rank: Lieutenant colonel

Garth David Everett[1] (January 28, 1954  - January 28, 2023) was an American and politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 84th district from 2007 to 2020.

Early life, education, and military career

Everett was born on January 28, 1954 in Montoursville, Pennsylvania to parents Maxine (née Schrader) and David Everett. He graduated from Montoursville Area High School in 1972. Everett earned a ROTC scholarship to Colby College in Maine, before transferring to Pennsylvania State University after two years when the college's ROTC program was shut down.[2] He earned a bachelor of science degree in business from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. The same year Everett joined the United States Air Force. He retired from the Air Force at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1997. He later earned a juris doctor degree from Dickinson School of Law in 2000.

Political Career

In 2006, Everett was elected to represent the 84th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was continuously reelected until his retirement in 2020. During his final term, Everett chaired the House State Government Committee.[3] In his role as chair, Everett pushed for a ban on lawmakers receiving gifts from lobbyists.[4] He also oversaw the advancement of an omnibus bill that expanded mail-in voting and voter registration and eliminated straight ticket voting.[5]

Ahead of the 2020 United States presidential election, Everett introduced a resolution that would have established a select committee to oversee the integrity of the upcoming election.[6] The committee would have the power to subpoena, investigate county election operations, and subsequently suggest changes to the state election code. Democrats opposed the establishment of the committee, claiming it would enable Republicans to override the election results after President Donald Trump stoked pre-election claims of ballot fraud.[7] Everett's resolution to establish the committee was never voted on by the State House after the House session was postponed due to a lawmaker's COVID-19 diagnosis.[8]

Personal life and death

Everett met his wife, the former Susan S. Schultz, in high school and married her in 1976. The couple had two daughters.

Everett died in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on January 28, 2023, his 69th birthday.[9] At the time, Everett had been fighting cancer for 18 years.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Garth D. Everett . Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives . 8 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Obituary for Garth D. Everett . McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, Inc. . 8 July 2024.
  3. News: Caruso . Stephen . House GOP retirements continue, as State Government Committee chair announces exit . 11 July 2024 . Pennsylvania Capital-Star . January 7, 2020.
  4. News: Caruso . Stephen . Pa. House Committee advances gift ban bill . 11 July 2024 . Pennsylvania Capital-Star . November 19, 2019.
  5. News: Caruso . Stephen . Amid Democratic dissent, brokered election reform bill advances in the Pa. House . 11 July 2024 . Pennsylvania Capital-Star . October 22, 2019.
  6. News: Caruso . Stephen . CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE ELECTION 2020 GOVERNMENT & POLITICS After fiery unveiling, some Republicans express concern with House election integrity panel . 10 July 2024 . Pennsylvania Capital-Star . October 1, 2020.
  7. News: Scolforo . Mark . Pa. House GOP pushes ahead plan for committee to investigate election processes . 10 July 2024 . WIFT . The Associated Press . September 30, 2020.
  8. Web site: Regular Session 2019-2020 House Resolution 1032 . Pennsylvania General Assembly . 10 July 2024.
  9. News: Beauge . John . Retired 7-term GOP Pa. House member dies on 69th birthday . 30 January 2023 . PennLive Patriot-News . Advance Local Media LLC . January 29, 2023.