James J. Rhoades, of Schuylkill County, was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1980 and is now serving his seventh consecutive term. Senator Rhoades represents the 29th Senatorial District, which includes all of Schuylkill County, as well as parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.

Senator Rhoades is currently the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He also serves as a member of the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg State College and a Masters degree in Education from Lehigh University, Senator Rhoades began his professional career as a teacher and coach at Pottsville and Mahanoy City High Schools. He became principal of Mahanoy Area Junior High School in 1971.

These hands-on experiences in Pennsylvania's schools and his knowledge of education policy have made Senator Rhoades one of the General Assembly's foremost authorities on education issues. He has put these resources to work for Pennsylvania's students as a member of the State Board of Education, the State System of Higher Education, and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Senator Rhoades has also worked to enact major education reforms such as the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Accountability Act, the Teacher Continuing Professional Education Act, and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.

In addition, Senator Rhoades has played a leading role in shaping solutions to economic and environmental issues in Pennsylvania. Senator Rhoades has authored the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, the Health Care Cost Containment Council Act, the Shared Ride for Persons with Disabilities Act and the Handicapped Accessibility Act. His leadership has resulted in increased access to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program for senior citizens.

In addition, Senator Rhoades continues to advocate for ways to develop Pennsylvania's workforce and strengthen the state's economy. He was a leader in designing some of the most aggressive economic development policy in the state, like the highly successful Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program. His commitment to revitalizing the coal industry resulted in the creation of a state tax credit that encourages coal producers to develop coal-based, ultra-clean liquid fuels.

Senator Rhoades is married to the former Mary Edith Holland. They are the parents of three children, James Jr., married to the former Colleen Kern, Alisa Rhoades Hobbs, married to Christopher Hobbs, Esq., and Michael married to the former Jodie Smith and have five grandchildren, Meredith Rose, Logan Patrick, Porter Jane, John “Jack” Harold and Caroline Rhoades Hobbs. Senator and Mrs. Rhoades reside in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County.