Known by the people of Chester and Montgomery counties simply as “Andy,” Senator Andrew E. Dinniman has been recognized as an advocate for communities and families through three decades in public service.

That vision and leadership led to his 2006 election victory to a seat in the state Senate, representing Pennsylvania’s 19th District.

Prior to his election, Senator Dinniman served for 15 years as a Chester County Commissioner, making him the longest-serving commissioner in county history. As Commissioner, Andy demonstrated a true commitment to the future of Chester County by taking on some of the region’s most difficult issues. He worked to found the Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter, the Chester County Gleaning Project and served as one of the principal architects of Landscapes, the county’s award-winning open space plan. Both as a commissioner and a state senator, Andy also has consistently opposed tax hikes and increases in spending.

Before being elected county commissioner in 1991, Senator Dinniman served on the Downingtown Area School Board and the West Whiteland Municipal Authority. A teacher and community leader, he has been honored by numerous environmental, education, veterans’ and service groups: the NAACP, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In the Senate, his priorities include local government control over local issues, open space preservation, access to education, health care reform, historic preservation and quality-of-life issues.

Senator Dinniman is a member of the Education, Environmental Resources and Energy, Game and Fisheries and Local Government committees and serves as minority chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Senator Dinniman is also a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, and the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee. He also serves on the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

In addition, Senator Dinniman belongs to the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Caucus, the Community College Caucus, and the Joint House and Senate Autism Caucus.