Ed Rendell

From Grokipedia

Edward Gene Rendell (born January 5, 1944) is an American lawyer, author, and Democratic politician who served as the 45th governor of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2011 and as the 99th mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000. After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and serving in the U.S. Army, Rendell practiced law and was elected Philadelphia's district attorney in 1977, becoming the youngest in the city's history.

As mayor, Rendell inherited a city facing a $250 million deficit and near bankruptcy; he balanced the budget, generated five consecutive surpluses, reduced business and wage taxes, and oversaw urban revitalization efforts credited with Philadelphia's economic renaissance, described by The New York Times as "the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history."

During his governorship of the sixth-most-populous state, Rendell managed a $28.3 billion budget, implemented cost-saving measures yielding over $1 billion in efficiencies, expanded access to prescription drugs for seniors, overhauled state management policies, and pursued energy independence initiatives to create jobs in alternative energy sectors while revitalizing education, infrastructure, and environmental protections.

Rendell, known for his blunt speaking style that occasionally led to public gaffes such as insensitive remarks drawing apologies, has continued post-office involvement in policy through board roles, teaching, and authorship, including critiques of perceived national decline in resilience.

In brief

Ed Rendell was born in New York City to a Russian Jewish family and made Philadelphia the rest of the story: Penn, Villanova Law, the D.A.’s office, then City Hall. He sold the city to itself when the books were ugly.

Harrisburg was the second executive job, the DNC chair a national interlude. In retirement he became a commentator, still sounding like a mayor who has seen a snowplow budget.