Tim Kearney (politician)

Timothy P. Kearney (born November 22, 1960) is an American politician and architect. He is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 26th District since 2019.^[1]

Tim Kearney
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 26th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded by	Tom McGarrigle
Mayor of Swarthmore
In office 2014 – January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded by	Richard Lowe
Succeeded by	Marty Spiegel
Personal details
Born	(1960-11-22) November 22, 1960 (age 64)
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Education	Catholic University of America University of Pennsylvania
Occupation	Architect, professor
Website	Official website

Education and career

Kearney received a B.S. from the Catholic University of America and a M.Arch. from the University of Pennsylvania.^[2] He is an adjunct professor at Drexel University. He is also a partner in an architectural firm, along with his wife.^[3]

Political career

Kearney served seven years on the planning commission for Swarthmore, Pennsylvania before being elected to two terms as mayor.^[3] In total, he served the borough for 12 years, focusing on environmental and social issues, including working towards making the borough more pedestrian-friendly.^[4]

In 2018, he defeated Republican Tom McGarrigle in an upset to become state senator and the first Democrat to represent the 26th district since 1978.^[5]

For the 2025-2026 Session Kearney serves on the following committees in the State Senate: ^[6]

• Institutional Sustainability & Innovation (Minority Chair)
• Appropriations
• Education
• Local Government
• Transportation