Christine Tartaglione

Christine Tartaglione was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Eugene M. and Margaret (née Warenecki) Tartaglione. Her mother was a longtime political figure in Philadelphia, serving as a Democratic ward leader and city commissioner (1976–2011). She received her early education at the parochial school of St. Martin of Tours Church and later graduated from St. Basil Academy in 1978. She served as an assistant to Joan L. Krajewski, a member of the Philadelphia City Council, from 1986 to 1989. She then worked as a senior executive assistant to State Treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll from 1989 until 1992, when she became a business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1776. ==Political career==

In 1992, Tartaglione unsuccessfully ran against Republican incumbent John Perzel for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 172nd District. During the campaign, Perzel characterized her as a puppet for her mother while Tartaglione accused him of being out of touch with his constituents. On March 1, 1994, Tartaglione announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 2nd District. During the campaign, she ran on a platform of increased gun control, better day care, racial and ethnic harmony, more jobs, and affordable housing. In the general election, she narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Bruce Marks by 393 votes. With her victory, she became the fifth woman elected to the State Senate in Pennsylvania. • Intergovernmental Operations (Minority Chair) • Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure • Labor & Industry • Law & Justice • Rules & Executive Nominations Boating accident and recovery During the Labor Day weekend of 2003, Tartaglione was severely injured when she fell on the deck of a small powerboat while off the Jersey Shore. A larger boat had whipped up a large wake which caused her boat to rock and resulted in her injuring her spinal cord and needing to use a wheelchair. After a number of surgeries and intense physical therapy, Tartaglione was able to walk for the first time in seven years to her seat in the Senate chambers at an October 2010 ceremony before her colleagues and well-wishers. == References ==