About Steve

Like many of us, the events of September 11th had a profound effect on Steve Santarsiero. From his office window Steve bore witness to the attack. It was at that moment that Steve vowed not to focus on the tragedy, but reaffirm his commitment to what our nation stands for. He left his successful legal profession to become a local school teacher.

Shortly thereafter, Steve was called to action on behalf of his local community.

In 2002, Steve became a leader in the grassroots movement to stop the proposed big-box store shopping center on the Matrix property in Lower Makefield, serving as Chairman of Residents Against Matrix. His actions made a difference. The proposed big-box store shopping center was stopped.

Elected Lower Makefield Supervisor in 2003

In 2003, Steve Santarsiero was elected to the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors with over 55% of the vote. Despite being the only Democrat on the Board, Steve quickly became a leader who reached across party lines to focus on getting the job done. In 2005 he was the first elected official in Southeastern Pennsylvania to propose a landmark law prohibiting convicted sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of areas where children typically congregate. The year before, he proposed and organized the Southeastern Bucks League of Municipalities, an organization made up of the representatives of over 10 towns in Southeastern Bucks that comes together several times a year to discuss regional issues, share ideas and work to resolve problems between towns.

As Board Chairman in 2006, Steve Steers a New Course

In 2006, Steve became part of the new Democratic majority on the Board of Supervisors. As Chairman of the new Board, he spearheaded a bold new plan for Lower Makefield that included:

• The passage of a national-award-winning Low Impact Development Ordinance to control development and mitigate flooding caused by bad planning,
• The preparation of an open space inventory to maximize the Township’s ability to preserve remaining open lands,
• The creation of a new Citizens Traffic Commission to help improve traffic problems in the township,
• Making local government more open by televising township meetings, conducting interviews for township boards and commissions in public, and providing greater access to the Board by creating township phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all supervisors,
• Expanding the Environmental Advisory Council and granting it power to review land use proposals,
• Supporting local farmers with a new farmers market, and
• Proposing township celebrations, such as Community Pride Day, to promote a sense of community and identity as Lower Makefield residents.

Elected State Representative in 2008

After knocking on over 10,000 doors in the Yardley-Newtown area to meet residents, hear their concerns, and explain his platform, on November 4, 2008, Steve was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with 53% of the vote. To learn more about the many things that Steve has done in just the short time that he has served in the legislature, visit Steve's Record as a Legislator.

Education and Family

Steve Santarsiero is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School; Tufts University, where he received his B.A.; and Holy Family University, where he received his M.Ed. He lives with his wife, Ronni, and their children, Nancy, 12, Billy, 10, and Johnny, 6, in Lower Makefield, where he coaches youth baseball. His wife, Ronni, is a lawyer and former Girl Scout troop leader.