Candidate for
State Senator; District 5

Hello. My name is John Farley and I am running for the Pennsylvania State Senate, (in District #5), in November 2008. Why am I running? Who exactly is John Farley? Let me tell you a little something about myself.

I am the fourth child of seven, born into a large Irish American family in Northeast Philadelphia. I was born on March 10, 1966 in Philadelphia. I have been raised, educated, schooled, married, and have been raising a family in Northeast Philadelphia. I have been a Northeast Philadelphia resident my entire life. My Father is a retired Philadelphia firefighter. (He was my hero as a small boy.)

My Father-In-Law was also a Philadelphia firefighter who worked his way up the ranks to make Fire Batallion Chief. My youngest sister is an 19-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Force. She works in the Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department. (Long before 9/11, my wife and I came to respect those everyday heroes who risk and protect our lives each and every day.) I am and I have always been Pro-Union, Pro-Police, Pro-Fire Department, and Pro-Emergency Rescue Workers.

My parents still live in the house that I was raised in. They live in the Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia. They have been married for 47 years. They have 7 children and 10 grandchildren. They are still an inspiration to me.

I have been married for the last 11 years to the love of my life, my wonderful wife Elaine. I met Elaine in high school at Archbishop Ryan High. We both graduated in 1984. We have two wonderful children, Daniel age 10, and Laura age 9. We have the "cutest beagle ever", our beloved family pet Beemer. Elaine, Danny, Laura, Beemer, and I have lived in the Somerton section of Far Northeast Philadelphia for the past 9 years.

I attended Archbishop Ryan High School, (in Northeast Philadelphia), from 1980-1984. I have worked in the public sector of the Philadelphia Municipal workforce for the past 20 years. My wife and I send our two children to a local public/charter school in Northeast Philadelphia. My wife is a registered nurse who works at a major hospital in Philadelphia. I am currently on an unpaid leave of absence from the Philadelphia Parking Authority, so that I may run for the Pennsylvania State Senate in District #5. I have been a long-time member of my neighborhood civic association in Somerton. My wife and I believe in sacrifice to one's self for one's country. We believe in being a part of one's neighborhood and working hard to better one's neighborhood.

I am as middle-class as any candidate who has ever sought a seat to the Pennsylvania Legislature. My wife and I believe in the same things, (that I have been promoting in this campaign for the past year), that all average, middle-class taxpayers believe in. We all want lower taxes. We all want safer streets. A helping hand to small business owners. Great schools. Clean neighborhoods. Fundamental reform in the government that should be serving us out in Harrisburg. Term-limits for all legislatures in Harrisburg. No more sense of a "life-time" appointment to state elected positions. Changing the way government works so that it will start working for all of us once again.

Bringing back a sense that this government really does belong to us, works for us, and should be run by us, the average Jane and Joe middle-class taxpayer. Making our State government compassionate and fair to the "little guy who goes to work, educates his kids, pays his taxes, stays out of trouble, and plays by the rules". We need that sense of fairness to return to Harrisburg.

I thank you for this opportunity to learn a little bit more about myself and my family. Please remember to vote on November 4th and if you want real change, then vote for JOHN FARLEY FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATE, in DISTRICT # 5. Vote for yourself and vote for change!! Thank you and May God Always Bless You and May God Bless America!