American politician Edward Rendell served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2011. Before that, he chaired the Democratic National Committee, was the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000, and served as the city’s District Attorney from 1978 to 1986. In politics, Rendell built a tough-on-crime reputation. As mayor of Philadelphia, he managed to balance the city’s budget and create a surplus, all while cutting business and wage taxes.
Rendell left the governor’s office due to term limits but continued his career in public life. He has also written several books and is a well-known sports fanatic. Learn more about this unique personality at philadelphiayes.
Early Life and Education
Gene Edward Rendell was born on January 5, 1944, in New York City. His parents, Emma Sloat and Jesse T. Rendell, were Jewish. All of his grandparents had immigrated to the United States from Russia.
Edward attended the Riverdale Country School before moving to Philadelphia. He enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. He continued his education at Villanova University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1968.
After graduation, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1974.
District Attorney’s Office
Ed Rendell’s political career began when he was elected Philadelphia’s District Attorney in 1977. At 33, Rendell became Philadelphia’s youngest-ever District Attorney. He defeated the incumbent Democratic DA, Emmet Fitzpatrick, in the election. In his campaign, Rendell skillfully used his lack of political experience to his advantage, arguing that because he wasn’t part of the corrupt establishment, he could dismantle it.
As District Attorney, Ed Rendell displayed a brash and volatile temperament. He was known to shout at subordinates, punch walls, or even throw furniture when things didn’t go his way. Despite his emotional style, his work was generally well-received. As DA, Rendell presided over the trial of political activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal and supported the death penalty verdict, which was overturned in 2011. His tenure also included the infamous 1985 MOVE bombing by the Philadelphia police.
In 1980, delegates at the Democratic National Convention supported Rendell for a potential vice-presidential nomination. He served two terms as District Attorney, leaving the post in 1986 to run for Governor of Pennsylvania, a race he lost.
Ed Rendell – Mayor of Philadelphia
Ed Rendell first ran for Mayor of Philadelphia in 1987. As the Democratic nominee, he lost to the incumbent mayor, W. Wilson Goode. His next run in 1991 was successful. His main rival was expected to be Frank Rizzo. However, Rizzo passed away, and Rendell went on to defeat Republican Joseph M. Egan Jr.
Upon becoming mayor in 1992, Ed Rendell faced the city’s massive financial problems. At the time, Philadelphia had a budget deficit of $250 million. Mayor Rendell managed to tackle the situation, balance the city’s budget, and even achieve a surplus. At the same time, he cut business and wage taxes and focused on initiatives that increased revenues and improved the quality of services. Thanks to these results, the period was dubbed the “Philadelphia Renaissance.” The New York Times described Rendell’s work as “the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history,” highlighting the politician’s ambition, energy, inspiration, and determination.
Rendell’s first term as mayor was meticulously detailed by journalist Buzz Bissinger in the bestselling book A Prayer for the City. The author was granted virtually unlimited access to the mayor to observe his activities.
Meanwhile, Ed Rendell’s financial policies drew opposition from labor unions, making his re-election campaign challenging. Nevertheless, city residents re-elected Rendell, who defeated Republican Joe Rocks.
Ed Rendell’s second term as Mayor of Philadelphia lasted until 2000. In 1996, he signed an executive order providing domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples in Philadelphia. He remains the last mayor in the city’s history who had not previously served on the City Council.
Governorship and Later Career
After finishing his tenure as mayor, Ed Rendell decided to run for Governor of Pennsylvania. His campaign was successful, and he was elected to the office in 2003 and later re-elected for a second term. Rendell held this influential position for two consecutive terms, overseeing a budget of $28.3 billion.
His goal was to make government more transparent and efficient. He cut many expenses and managed to save over $1 billion. As governor, Rendell introduced a new legislative program and a series of important policy reforms. He successfully attracted investments to the state that stimulated Pennsylvania’s economy. Over time, this process contributed to community revitalization, improved education quality, environmental protection, and expanded access to healthcare and medicine.
During Rendell’s governorship, Pennsylvania’s economy, much like Philadelphia’s before it, experienced a recovery. When he took office, the state faced a projected budget deficit of $2.4 billion. Rendell immediately cut state spending to close this gap and began applying principles of productivity and cost savings.
Ed Rendell left the governor’s office after his second term, in accordance with state law. He was succeeded by Republican Tom Corbett. After concluding his political career, Rendell returned to the law firm Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia. Subsequently, he:
- Worked as a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC in 2011.
- Served as a senior advisor at the investment bank Greenhill & Co.
- Collaborated with the clean technology investment firm Element Partners.
- Taught at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.
- Chaired the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.
Rendell also served as a mediator between Range Resources Corp, an oil and gas drilling company in the state, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was a proponent of shale gas drilling but later admitted that he should have been more concerned about the environment.
Personal Life
Ed Rendell is known for his appearances in movies, having played several cameo roles. In 1993, he appeared as himself in the acclaimed film Philadelphia (as he was the city’s mayor at the time). He also played the Mayor of Philadelphia in the films The Benefactor (2015) and In the Shadow of the Moon (2019).
Rendell is a famous sports fan and a die-hard supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He has appeared on the “Eagles Postgame Live” show on NBC Sports. He also cheers for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and the University of Pennsylvania’s basketball team.
In 1971, Ed Rendell married Marjorie Oserlund, who later became a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The couple has a son, Jesse.
Shortly after Ed Rendell’s second term as Governor of Pennsylvania ended, he and his wife announced their separation. The divorce was finalized in 2016.
Two years later, at a press conference at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Rendell announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.