Allegheny County Democratic Committee

  • About
  • Candidates
  • Get Involved
  • Contribute
  •  

Joe Torsella

Elected Office: Pennsylvania State Treasurer

Candidate for: Pennsylvania State Treasurer

Joseph M. Torsella is a successful civic leader who brings integrity, energy, and vision to the office of Pennsylvania State Treasurer.

Joe is the kind of commonsense problem-solver we need in public life. Because Treasury manages $100 billion in public funds and has pre-audit authority over every single check the Commonwealth issues, it’s an ideal platform for someone with Joe’s record of bringing efficiency, sound management, and innovation to the public sector, a theme of Joe’s career.

And because the Treasurer – who sits on nearly twenty consequential boards dealing with issues ranging from infrastructure to pensions to higher education – has such a wide-ranging role, Joe will be a strong voice for smart policy, fiscal responsibility, and public integrity on many, many issues that will shape Pennsylvania’s future:

  • A Record of Leadership and Service. From Philadelphia’s City Hall to the National Constitution Center to the halls of the United Nations, Joe has spent much of his career in public service, delivering impressive results even in challenging environments.
  • Committed to Transparency and Integrity. Joe’s efforts brought unprecedented new transparency to United Nations operations, and he has already won praise for his proposals to bring new accountability to Pennsylvania. As PA’s fiscal watchdog, Joe will open the state’s books, empowering every citizen to act as auditor. Under Joe’s leadership, Treasury will set the bar nationally as a leader in integrity and transparency.
  • Lifting the Fortunes of Low and Middle Income Families. Joe has a vision for Treasury as an engine for creating more prosperity for more Pennsylvanians. As America grapples with inequality and income disparities, Joe is preparing policies to help more Pennsylvania families improve their financial literacy and save for college, steps that can meaningfully change the economic lives of hard-working families.
  • Proven Results for Taxpayers. As Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning under Ed Rendell, Joe championed reforms that closed a $1.25 billion deficit without raising taxes and led to what the New York Times called “one of the most stunning turnarounds in recent urban history.” He will bring the same drive for efficiency and fiscally responsible management to Treasury.

From serving as an U.S. Representative to the United Nations to leading the development of the sparkling new National Constitution Center so effectively that the Philadelphia Inquirer declared him “a modern-day founding father,” Joe Torsella has always valued the need for innovation and new ideas in public service.

From 2011 to 2014, Joe was US Ambassador to the UN for Management and Reform. He was the architect and chief public spokesperson for the Obama Administration’s UN reform plans released in 2012, and was the United States government’s lead fiscal watchdog at the UN, from its $36 billion in annual budgets to its $41 billion pension fund to its $2 billion headquarters renovation project. In his tenure, the US reversed a decade-long trend of unbridled growth in UN budgets, brought new transparency to the UN through webcasting of meetings and publication of UN audits, and won milestone reforms toward ending sexual exploitation and abuse of civilian populations by UN peacekeepers and ending the unfair exclusion of Israel in UN bodies. Torsella’s plainspoken style earned him praise from UN watchers and from publications ranging from Le Monde to the New York Post, and he was recognized for his successful use of social media and public diplomacy to promote US policy. A UN outsider, Joe spoke frankly and colorfully about the need for the UN to end “business as usual” and frequently reminded his UN colleagues that the “obligation to our taxpayers” is to “do more with less.”

Prior to his service as an UN Ambassador, Joe served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In that role, Joe opened the board’s workings to the public – holding board meetings outside of Harrisburg for the first time in decades – and led the board to set forth an agenda around high school reform, teacher quality, healthy and safe schools, and college affordability. The Board’s hearings and proposals on making higher education more affordable won national notice and sparked legislative action in Pennsylvania.

From 1997 to 2003, Joe was the founding President and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, a non-profit museum and education center dedicated to explaining and celebrating American ideas and ideals. As the driving force behind the concept, construction, and opening of the $200 million facility on Independence Mall, Joe led the Constitution Center to international acclaim, financial stability, and an unparalleled institutional reputation. He returned to the Constitution Center for a second term as CEO from 2006 to 2009, persuading President George H. W. Bush to join the Center as its Chairman, and working to establish the Center’s international program, including democracy education work in Afghanistan. Joe was asked to lead the National Constitution Center by then-Mayor Rendell.

Between 1992 and 1993, Joe served as Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning in Philadelphia under Rendell. He helped devise initiatives that helped resolve a $1.25 billion cumulative deficit. The New York Times hailed this nationally-acclaimed financial recovery as “the most stunning turnaround” in American municipal history. In addition to his career in government, Joe has served in a variety of high profile civic posts. In 2005, he co-chaired the Greater Philadelphia bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. A former successful small business owner, he serves on several corporate boards, and he served as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Public Policy at Drexel University.

Raised in Berwick, PA, Joe graduated from Wyoming Seminary high school. After graduating with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and History, Joe studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He lives with his wife, Carolyn P. Short, in Flourtown, Pennsylvania; they have four children.

Return to Elected Officials Listing Return to Candidates listing
  • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Blog

Calendar

March 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  • CANCELED Aspinwall Democratic Committee Meeting
    CANCELED Aspinwall Democratic Committee Meeting March 1, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm Aspinwall Boro Bldg on Commercial Ave
    See more details
•
2
  • 14th Ward Democratic Committee Meeting
    14th Ward Democratic Committee Meeting March 2, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Online Meeting

    14th Ward Democratic Committee Meeting - Will be held on line. Contact Sam Hens-Greco for more information or to schedule a time to speak.

    Candidates for the Court of Common Pleas are asked to complete the 14th Ward Committee Judicial Questionnaire prior to scheduling a time to speak. Contact Sam Hens-Greco at samhengreco@gmail.com for a copy of the questionnaire.

    In order to accommodate the large number of candidates there will be Committee Meetings on the following dates. Only 5 to 7 candidates will speak per night.

    Tuesday January 19th
    Wednesday, February 3rd
    Tuesday, February 16th
    Wednesday, February 24th
    Tuesday, March 2nd

    See more details
•
3
4
  • ZOOM: McCandless Democratic Committee Meeting
    ZOOM: McCandless Democratic Committee Meeting March 4, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Zoom

    Business Meeting precedes 7:30 Open Meeting. Email Paul Heckman at prheckman@gmail.com for an invitation.

    As there are more judicial candidates than we can fairly entertain at our monthly meetings, we will not be having judicial candidates speak at our meetings. As part of the Northern Regional Democratic Alliance (NRDA), we invite judicial candidates to join us at the NRDA Judicial Forums as detailed here in the ACDC calendar. More details - https://mccandlessdems.org

    See more details
•
5
6
7
8
  • CANCELLED Franklin Park Democratic Committee Meeting
    CANCELLED Franklin Park Democratic Committee Meeting March 8, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Franklin Park Municipal Building, 2344 W Ingomar Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

    All Democrats in Franklin Park are welcome.

    For questions, please contact Secretary Cynthia Navadeh at cnavadeh@yahoo.com

    See more details
  • Pine Dems Monthly Meeting
    Pine Dems Monthly Meeting March 8, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 11530 Perry Hwy, Ste 106 Levana Bratique Wexford, Pennsylvania 15090 United States

    The Pine Township Democratic Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM at Levana Bratique in Wexford. 7-7:45 PM is reserved for committee members - the general public is welcome to attend at 7:45 PM. Join us!

    See more details
  • ZOOM: Pine Dems Committee Meeting
    ZOOM: Pine Dems Committee Meeting March 8, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Virtual

    Pine Dems Monthly Meeting - meeting held via Zoom. Email info@pinedems.org for link.

    See more details
  • CANCELLED West Deer Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
    CANCELLED West Deer Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting March 8, 2021 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm 109 East Union Rd Cheswick, Pennsylvania 15024 United States
    Join us for the monthly meeting of the West Deer Democratic Committee. We meet at 8:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the West Deer Municipal Building.

    Network with other Democrats, hear from candidates and elected officials, and learn how the Democratic Party is working to win local elections and improve West Deer.

    All visitors are welcome.

    See more details
• • • •
9
10
  • CANCELLED Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
    CANCELLED Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting March 10, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mt. Lebanon Municipal Office, 710 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, USA

    Join us for the monthly meeting of the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee. We meet at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Commission Chambers at the Municipal Building.

    Network with other Democrats, hear from candidates and elected officials, and learn how the Democratic Party is working to win local elections and improve our community.

    All visitors are welcome. Come and find out how you can get involved. Learn more at https://www.mtlebanondemocrats.com

    See more details
  • CANCELLED South Park Democratic Meeting
    CANCELLED South Park Democratic Meeting March 10, 2021 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm 2675 Brownsville Road Township Community Room South Park Township, Pennsylvania 15129 United States
      Democratic meeting. Candidates welcome.
    Questions call Dave or Joan Buchewicz, 412-833-8025
    Meetings are scheduled the 2nd Wednesday month, 8 PM.
    See more details
• •
11
12
13
14
15
16
  • CANCELLD Oakmont Democrats Monthly Meeting
    CANCELLD Oakmont Democrats Monthly Meeting March 16, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Oakmont Elks 106 Washington Ave. OAKMONT, Pennsylvania 15139 United States

    Monthly Meeting

    See more details
  • CANCELLED Harrison Township Committee Meeting
    CANCELLED Harrison Township Committee Meeting March 16, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 1600 Pacific Avenue Suite 10 Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania 15065 United States Map It

    3rd Tuesday of every month.

    See more details
  • CANCELLED Oakmont Democrats Meeting
    CANCELLED Oakmont Democrats Meeting March 16, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Oakmont Elks, 106 Washington Avenue, Oakmont.

    Monthly meeting

    See more details
  • ZOOM: Swissvale Democratic Committee
    ZOOM: Swissvale Democratic Committee March 16, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Zoom Meeting

    Swissvale Democratic Committee Zoom Monthly Meeting

    Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5139209154?pwd=MVI4eElJd2I4UjcxbG1jMENtTFFwUT09

    Meeting ID: 513 920 9154
    Passcode: ec2020

    Tim Ward - 412-512-6050 - timgward91@gmail.com

    See more details
• • • •
17
  • CANCELLED O'Hara Democratic Committee Meeting
    CANCELLED O'Hara Democratic Committee Meeting March 17, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm O'Hara Municipal Building, 325 Fox Chapel Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15238
    See more details
  • CANCELLED Plum Borough Democratic Committee and Friends of the Committee
    CANCELLED Plum Borough Democratic Committee and Friends of the Committee March 17, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Plum Senior Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Rd, Plum, PA 15239, USA

    The Plum Borough Democratic Committee and Friends of the Committee meet at 7:00 PM on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Meetings are currently held at the Plum Senior Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Rd, Plum, PA 15239.

    See more details
• •
18
  • CANCELLED Hampton Township Democratic Committee Meeting
    CANCELLED Hampton Township Democratic Committee Meeting March 18, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Hampton High School, Room C310 2929 McCully Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101
    See more details
•
19
20
21
22
  • CANCELLD Forest Hills Dems Meeting
    CANCELLD Forest Hills Dems Meeting March 22, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm Forest Hills Borough Building, 4400 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh PA 15221
    See more details
•
23
  • CANCELLED Upper St. Clair Democratic Committee Meeting
    CANCELLED Upper St. Clair Democratic Committee Meeting March 23, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm 1770 McLaughlin Run Rd, Upper St Clair, PA 15241
    See more details
  • ZOOM Upper St Clair Meeting
    ZOOM Upper St Clair Meeting March 23, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    ZOOM MEETING. Contact Mary McIntyre for link at maryfmcintyre56@gmail.com

    See more details
  • ZOOM: Jefferson Hills Democrats Monthly Meeting
    ZOOM: Jefferson Hills Democrats Monthly Meeting March 23, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Virtual
      Join the Jefferson Hills Democrats monthly meeting to network, hear from local elected officials, campaigns, and to get engaged with the Democratic Party at the local level!

    Register in advance for this meeting:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpde2urTgsG92L_q0sscSQSL-t8E-fnBZS

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

    See more details
  • CANCELLED Baldwin Borough Democrats
    CANCELLED Baldwin Borough Democrats March 23, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Baldwin Municipal Building Auditorium, 3344 Churchview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15227

    The Baldwin Borough Democrats meet the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Baldwin Municipal Building Auditorium, 3344 Churchview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15227. All are welcome to attend. Contact Marianne Conley (Chair) 412 885-3129 or Jim Hagan (Vice Chair) 412 885-3828

    See more details
• • • •
24
  • CANCELLED Richland Township Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
    CANCELLED Richland Township Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting March 24, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm 4015 Dickey Rd, Gibsonia, PA 15044, USA

    Please join the Richland Democratic Committee for a Monthly General Meeting.

    Please contact the Richland Township Democratic Chair, Brian O'Malley, if you have any questions. 724-230-6768 or richlandtwpdems@gmail.com

    See more details
•
25
  • CANCELLED Pleasant Hills Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
    CANCELLED Pleasant Hills Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting March 25, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 410 E Bruceton Rd Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236 United States

    Join the Pleasant Hills Democrats for our monthly meeting. We meet in the community room of the Pleasant Hills municipal building. Email questions to phdemocrats@gmail.com.

    See more details
  • CANCELED Bethel Park Democratic Committee
    CANCELED Bethel Park Democratic Committee March 25, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Bethel Park Municipal Building 5100 W Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102
    See more details
  • ZOOM: Bethel Park Democratic Committee Meeting
    ZOOM: Bethel Park Democratic Committee Meeting March 25, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Virtual Event

    Please contact us at bethelparkdems@gmail.com for Zoom invitation

    See more details
• • •
26
27
  • ZOOM: Dormont Democratic Committee Meeting
    ZOOM: Dormont Democratic Committee Meeting March 27, 2021 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am 2950 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA

    For January-March, Dormont Committee meetings are being held virtually. Requests for the link can be sent to demcommofdormont@gmail.com.

    See more details
•
28
29
30
31

Browse

  • Home
  • About
  • Events
  • Get Involved
  • Elected Officials
  • Our Candidates

Take Action

  • Action Center
  • Volunteer
  • Read the Blog
  • Contribute

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Contact

Contact

The Allegheny County Democratic Committee.
22 Wabash St., Suite 205 Pittsburgh, PA 15220
ph: (412) 481-5646
Paid For And Authorized By The Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Close Menu
  • Main
    • Home
    • Events
    • Submit an Event
    • Contact
  • About
    • About ACDC
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Voter Resources
    • Committee Resources
  • Get Involved
    • Action Center
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Contribute
  • Allies
    • Democratic Organizations
    • Elected Officials
    • Candidates
    • Candidate Submission

Copyright © 2021 · alleghenydems.com