James Gallen

James J. "Jim" Gallen (August 15, 1928 – April 12, 2012) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. ^[3]

James Gallen
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 128th district
In office January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1992
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	Sam Rohrer
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Berks County district
In office January 5, 1965 – November 30, 1968
Personal details
Born	(1928-08-15)August 15, 1928 Reading, Pennsylvania[1]
Died	April 12, 2012(2012-04-12) (aged 83) Shillington, Pennsylvania
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sara[2]
Children	Eight

Formative years

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 1928, Jim Gallen earned his Bachelor of Science from Villanova University, and served in the United States Army. Professionally, he was employed as an insurance agent.^[4]

Political career

Gallen represented Berks County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for more than twenty-seven years, first as one of the county's at-large representatives, then as the member for the 128th District seat created in 1968, following an overhaul of the State Constitution which reapportioned seats based upon numbered districts. He announced his retirement from the State House in 1992, at which time he unsuccessfully sought the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Gus Yatron.^[5] Gallen was defeated in the Republican primary by Pottsville attorney John Jones,^[6] who went on to lose the general election to Schuylkill County Sheriff Tim Holden.^[7]

Gallen died on April 12, 2012, in his Shillington, Pennsylvania, home of complications stemming from appendicitis, and was buried at Shillington's Fairview Cemetery.^[8]