David G. Argall (born November 21, 1958) is an American politician who is a member of the
Pennsylvania State Senate, elected in a special election on March 3, 2009 following the death of fellow Republican
James J. Rhoades. He was elected a member of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two-year terms from single member districts.
It ...
in 1984 and served as Republican Whip from 2004 to 2008. Argall lost the
17th Congressional District election in 2010 after challenging incumbent Congressman
Tim Holden.
Early life and education
Argall earned a bachelor's degree in
political science
Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and Power (social and political), power, and the analysis of political activities, political philosophy, political thought, polit ...
and international studies from
Lycoming College and a master's degree in American studies at
Penn State Harrisburg. In May 2006, he earned his
Ph.D. in public administration from Penn State. Argall is a part-time instructor who has taught at Lycoming College and
Penn State Schuylkill.
Career
Argall was Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, a position that led him to being named to the 2003 "The Pennsylvania Report Power 75" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics.
He was elected to serve as the Republican Whip in 2004 and again in 2006.
Argall did not run for re-election to the post of Minority Whip in order to run for the
State Senate seat from the
29th district which was vacated by the death and posthumous re-election of
James J. Rhoades.
He was elected to the seat over his Democratic opponent, Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Steven Lukach, by a margin of 62% to 38%.
2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
On January 11, 2010, Argall announced his intention to challenge incumbent Democratic Congressman
Tim Holden in the November elections. Argall's state senate district covered much of the eastern portion of the congressional district, including Holden's hometown of
St. Clair.
On November 2, 2010, Argall's 95,000 votes weren't enough as he lost for the first time in his political career, falling to Holden's 118,486 votes. He did not have to give up his state senate seat to run for Congress; Pennsylvania state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Argall was not up for reelection until 2012.
2025 Civics Bee controversy
On April 16, 2025, Argall served as a volunteer judge of the National Civics Bee competition in
Schuylkill County. A sixth grade student presented to the judges on the topic of
book banning. When it was Argall's turn to talk to the student, he asked if she thought
pornographic magazines should be allowed in
kindergarten
Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...
. When the student asked for clarification, Argall responded "
pictures of naked people." Argall's part in the exchange was the subject of significant criticism on social media. Argall subsequently apologized for "citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group."
References
External links
David G. Argall''official Pennsylvania State Senate site''
Senator Dave Argall''official constituency site''
Dave Argall for U.S. Congress''official campaign site''
Campaign contributionsat
OpenSecrets.org
1958 births
Living people
Lycoming College alumni
Pennsylvania State University alumni
Politicians from Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Republican Party Pennsylvania state senators
Politicians from West Chester, Pennsylvania
21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
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