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James R. Roebuck Jr.

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James R. Roebuck Jr.
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 188th district
In office
June 3, 1985 – November 30, 2020
Preceded byJames Williams
Succeeded byRick Krajewski
Personal details
Born(1945-02-12)February 12, 1945
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedMay 16, 2024(2024-05-16) (aged 79)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Cheryl Arrington
​
​
(m. 1987⁠–⁠2016)​
ResidencePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Alma materVirginia Union University, University of Virginia
Professioneducator

James R. "Jim" Roebuck Jr. (February 12, 1945 – May 15, 2024) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 188th District from 1985 to 2020.

Biography

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Roebuck was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School in 1963. He earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University in 1966, followed by a Master's degree (1969) and Ph.D. (1977) from the University of Virginia. In 1969, he became the first African American president of the UVA Student Council.[1]

Roebuck served as a lecturer (1970-1977) and assistant professor (1977-1984) of history at Drexel University.[2] He then worked as a legislative assistant to Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode (1984-1985).[3]

Following the death of James D. Williams, Roebuck won a special election on May 21, 1985 to represent the West Philadelphia-based 188th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was sworn-in on June 3, 1985 and subsequently reelected for 17 more terms, serving for 35 years. During his time in office, Roebuck was the Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.[4]

In June 2020, Roebuck was defeated in the Democratic primary by Rick Krajewski.[5]

References

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  1. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20121021194632/http://www.virginia.edu/100yearslawn/HarrisonI/JamesR.html. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Roebuck v. Drexel University, No. 87-1301". vLex. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  3. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  4. ^ "Members List". Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Rick Krajewski declares victory over incumbent James Roebuck in Pa. House's 188th District primary".
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