Edward Rendell

Is a good friend of Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi played at Rendell's 2007 Inauguration.

After 34 years of public service, including 24 years as an elected official, Governor Rendell continues to pursue many of the same issues he was passionate about while serving. His commitment to making America a cleaner, more efficient place and to fostering investment in our nation's crumbling infrastructure is as strong as it ever was. Rendell has become a champion for progress in the area of alternative energy, and now serves as a consultant or board member for several green and alternative energy firms, including Own Energy, Element Partners and Ocean Thermal Energy. He has also remained heavily involved in the campaign for government efficiency and strategic cost cutting through his work with entities such as Government Sourcing Solutions, Public Financial Management and Greenhill Advisors. Perhaps no other issue has been and continues to be as important to Governor Rendell as America's dire need to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure. As Governor, Rendell worked with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to create an organization called "Building America's Future". The organization focuses on the need for a more significant investment in American infrastructure projects to ensure that America maintains its place as a global economic power. Governor Rendell currently serves as Co-Chair of the organization and travels throughout the country speaking about this issue. Rendell served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011) and oversaw a budget of $28. 3 billion as the chief executive of the nation's 6th-most-populous state. As Governor, Rendell was committed to making government more responsible and responsive to the public's needs, and he successfully cut wasteful spending and improved efficiency leading to savings of over $1 billion. His legislative agenda focused on commonsense political reform and putting progress ahead of partisanship. Through his unprecedented strategic investments, he energized Pennsylvania's economy, revitalized communities, improved education, protected the environment, expanded access to health care to all children, and made affordable prescription drugs available to older Pennsylvanians.

He was twice elected as Governor of Pennsylvania, first in 2002, and a second time in a 2006 landslide over Lynn Swann.

President Bill Clinton appointed him to serve as the General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1999..

An avid sports fan, he was a Philadelphia Eagles Postgame TV analyst on Comcast SportsNet/NBC Sports Philadelphia, beginning in 1998.

His then wife, Marjorie "Midge" Osterlund Rendell, was appointed a United States Federal Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by President Bill Clinton, and took office on September 29, 1997 after confirmation by the United States Senate.

During his two terms as Mayor of Philadelphia (1992-2000), Rendell eliminated a crippling deficit, balanced the City's budget, and generated five consecutive budget surpluses. Philadelphia's renaissance, which The New York Times called "the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history," is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.

He was twice elected Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1991 and again in 1995.

The first time he ran to be Governor of Pennsylvania was in 1986, when he lost in the general election to Robert Casey, Sr.

Before serving as Mayor, Rendell was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia for two terms from 1978 through 1985.

Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and Villanova Law School in 1968