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03/18/2024 10:53 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
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Home / Members of the Senate / Officers of the Senate / Secretary and Parliamentarian

Michael Gerdes

Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate

Biography

Career

On November 15, 2022, Mr. Gerdes was elected Interim Secretary and Parliamentarian by the Pennsylvania Senate. As Secretary, he is responsible for administering and managing the legislative functions of the Senate. As Parliamentarian, he advises and assists the Lieutenant Governor as he presides over Senate Session, as well as provide advice and assistance to Members and staff regarding Senate rules, precedents, and practices. Additionally, he serves as the Right-to-Know Law Appeals Officer for the Senate. Prior to his election, Mr. Gerdes served for two years as Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Kim L. Ward. In that capacity, he advised the Senator and her staff on legal matters, including parliamentary procedure and the Rules of the Senate, and assisted her with the running of the Senate legislative calendar. He also advised Majority Caucus Members and staff on constitutional matters. He also worked in conjunction with the Caucus’ General Counsel on pending litigation in state and federal courts. Previously, he served in the same capacity for Majority Leader Jake Corman and began his work in the Pennsylvania Senate in 2015 as Deputy Counsel to the Majority Caucus. Prior to working in the Senate, Mr. Gerdes served as Senior Deputy Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, from 2005 through 2015. He previously served as a prosecuting attorney with the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, from 2002 until 2005. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. He resides in Mechanicsburg with his wife Kelly and two daughters.

The Office of the Secretary of the Senate