JIM FERLO

'James "Jim" Ferlo' was born in 1952 to Italian immigrant parents in the small upstate town of Rome, New York. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 38th Senatorial District, consisting of parts of Allegheny County, Westmoreland County and Armstrong County, and credits part of his legislative effectiveness as being one of ten siblings.
Ferlo was a liberal community activist in the City of Pittsburgh before being elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 1987. He served on council for 15 years until his election to the State Senate in 2002. Ferlo served as president of City Council from 1994 to 1997. He currently lives in Pittsburgh's Highland Park section.
A Democrat, Ferlo was elected to the state senate in 2002, receiving 65% of the vote to 35% for Republican candidate Ted Tomson. Ferlo was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2006 in his heavily Democratic district, winning 84% of the vote to 16% for Constitution Party candidate Joe Murphy.