Longtime State Sen. Andy Dinniman Announces Retirement

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Longtime state representative from Chester County Andy Dinniman, who has served in the legislature for 14 years and led the fight to improve safety regulations along the Mariner East Pipeline, has announced his retirement.

Dinniman, 75, cited a desire to spend more time with his family, including his wife Margo, who is recovering from surgery.

"This was a very tough decision, especially knowing just how many of you have faithfully and tirelessly supported my work over the years," Dinniman said in part of an announcement. "However, as I sit at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with my wife, Margo, who is now recovering from surgery, we both came to the sudden realization this was not the time to run again."

Before being elected to the state senate's 19th district in 2006, Dinniman served three terms as a Chester County commissioner, and also spent several years on the Downingtown school board.

Dinniman noted that even after a recent three-month hospital stay, Margo was still on board, supporting him to run for another term this fall. But, he said, this time he wanted to focus on her.

"Again, as I write this, sitting beside my wife and family, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by feelings of both gratitude and hope," his statement continued. "I cannot help but reflect on my own career and marriage and the idea that “love is love.” I have been blessed to not only serve as your representative, but even more so, to share my life and all it’s ups and downs with a strong, supportive, and committed partner who I love. It just doesn’t get any better than that."

Since his 2006 election, he's handily won all three re-elections, winning about 57 percent of the vote in the general election each time. His 19th district had been Republican for decades before his 2006 victory.