First elected to the House of Representatives to represent the 171st District in 1996, Kerry A. Benninghoff is a leading advocate for government reform, spending controls, lower taxes and expanded access to high quality health care services.
As a seven-term Republican in the House - and former two-term Centre County coroner - Benninghoff currently serves as the Republican chairman of the House State Government Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee. He also serves as chairman of the Rural Health Caucus.
A long-time supporter of efforts to reform Pennsylvania government, Benninghoff previously served on former-Speaker Dennis O'Brien's Commission on Legislative Reform. In past sessions, Benninghoff has led efforts to end late-night voting in the House and prohibit "lame duck" sessions that take place between the General Election in early November and the completion of the two-year legislative session at the end of November. He will continue to push for similar common-sense reforms in his new role as Republican chairman of the State Government Committee.
In addition to his government reform efforts, Benninghoff has led efforts to deliver real and meaningful property tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners. He is a fiscal conservative dedicated to lowering taxes and reigning in excessive government spending.
As a former orderly and two-term Centre County coroner, Benninghoff has a particular interest in health care policies and continues to push for measures to reduce costs and expand access to health care services. In his role as the chairman of the Rural Health Caucus, he focuses on developing policy initiatives specifically designed to benefit patients and health care providers in rural areas.
Benninghoff is a charter member of Leadership Centre County and formerly served on the Board of Directors of Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Bellefonte Kiwanis Club, the Fraternal Order of Police, Bald Eagle Lodge No. 51, as well as an active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte. He serves on the Board of Directors of Centre Home Care Inc. and also formerly served as co-chairman of the bicameral Penn State Forum on Higher Education.
Benninghoff is a graduate of State College Area High School and attended Pennsylvania State University. He is also a graduate of the Certified Coroners Training Program conducted in Hershey by the state of Pennsylvania.
Benninghoff resides in Bellefonte with his wife Michele. He is the proud parent of Michael, Heather, Amy, Kelley and Ryleigh.
The 171st District includes portions of Centre and Mifflin counties and Benninghoff’s district offices are located in Bellefonte and Reedsville.
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