Edward Zemprelli

Who is Edward Zemprelli?

Edward P. Zemprelli is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

A native of Clairton, Pennsylvania, Zemprelli grew up in an Italian American Catholic family. He earned a degree from Pennsylvania State University, where he was a member of the debate team and worked on the chain crew for Penn State Nittany Lions football games. He earned a law degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1949 and was licensed to practice law in 1950. His legal practice focused mainly on general practice, and later estate planning, real estate, and government relations.

He was elected to represent Allegheny County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election on November 5, 1963. He held that position until he was elected to represent the 45th senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate, a position he held from 1969 to 1988. During his political career, he held prominent positions on the Business and Commerce Committee, where he helped pass reform of the state's banking laws and the unemployment fund.