Kenneth Ruffing

Kenneth W. Ruffing
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 38th district
In office
January 5, 1999[1] – November 30, 2006[2]
Preceded byRichard D. Olasz
Succeeded byBill Kortz
Personal details
Born (1967-02-24) February 24, 1967 (age 57)
Homestead, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKaren
Children2
ResidenceWest Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Alma materRobert Morris College

Kenneth W. Ruffing (born February 24, 1967) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 38th legislative district from 1999 through 2006.

Ruffing graduated from West Mifflin High School in 1985 and earned a degree in business administration from Robert Morris College in 1990.[3] Prior to elective office, Ruffing worked as a licensed insurance agent. He was a member of the West Mifflin Borough Council for seven years and served as its president for two.[4]

In the lead-up to the 2006 primary election, Ruffing faced criticism stemming from his vote in favor of the controversial 2005 legislative pay raise.[5] In face of this criticism, Ruffing claimed that he donated his pay raise to an unnamed "autistic charity."[6] Ruffing garnered 26.2% to place third in the three-way race against C.L. Jabbour and eventual winner Bill Kortz.[7]

Following the election, Ruffing admitted that he used the money to pay tuition for his autistic son to attend St. Colman's Catholic School in Turtle Creek.[8] In August 2006, Ruffing was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after failing two field sobriety tests and registering a BAC of .346, which is four times Pennsylvania's legal limit.[9][10] In 2007, it was revealed that Ruffing, as a lame duck legislator, attended legislative training trips at the public's expense after his defeat.[11]

  1. ^ "SESSION OF 1999 - 183D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 1999-01-05.
  2. ^ Per Article II, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislative session ended on November 30, 2006
  3. ^ "Kenneth W. Ruffing (Democrat)". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  4. ^ "Biography". Ken Ruffing Official Website. Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original on 2003-07-01.
  5. ^ Ackerman, Jan (2006-04-26). "Campaign 2006: Ruffing in three-way race in primary". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PG Publishing Co. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  6. ^ Barnes, Tom (2006-05-10). "Campaign 2006: Opponent questions Ruffing's 'donation'". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PG Publishing Co. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  7. ^ "2006 General Primary - Representative in the General Assembly". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004. Archived from the original on 2008-11-27. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  8. ^ Belko, Mark (2006-05-27). "Ruffing's charity began at home". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PG Publishing Co. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  9. ^ "Ruffing Charged With DUI". KDKA.com. KDKA, CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2006-08-21.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Banks, Gabrielle (2006-10-11). "Rep. Ruffing waives DUI hearing". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PG Publishing Co., Inc.
  11. ^ Associated Press (2007-03-20). "Lame ducks went on trips paid by state". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Associated Press.