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Rep. Mike Sturla reminisces about things that happened during his time in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives while in his office at the Irvis office building in the Pennsylvania Capitol complex on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Intelligencer Journal campaign ad (Nov. 5, 1995)
Intelligencer Journal story (Nov. 7, 1995)
Intelligencer Journal story (Jan. 20, 2007)
Intelligencer Journal story (Nov. 19, 2008)
LNP story (Nov. 29, 2020)
LNP story (April 28, 2022)
LNP story (June 5, 2024)
LNP story (Aug. 13, 2024)
LNP story (Aug. 19, 2024)
Sunday News (Aug. 26, 2012)
Rep. Mike Sturla reminisces about things that happened during his time in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives while in his office at the Irvis office building in the Pennsylvania Capitol complex on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
After more than three decades in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, Mike Sturla retired this year from serving the 96th District, which covers East Petersburg, most of Manheim Township and a northern portion of Lancaster city.
Sturla recounted many of his career highs and lows during multiple interviews with LNP | LancasterOnline over the final months of 2024.
Here is a look through 10 of the biggest moments during his tenure:
Sturla ad for his first campaign
Intelligencer Journal (Nov. 5, 1990)
Mike Sturla’s first state House campaign ran a newspaper ad in the Intelligencer Journal touting his career compared to his Republican opponent, Peter Hahn. It read, “Vote for Mike Sturla. Because experience counts.”
Intelligencer Journal campaign ad (Nov. 5, 1995)
Sturla’s first state House win
Intelligencer Journal (Nov. 7, 1990)
“City Councilman Mike Sturla soundly defeated Peter Hahn Tuesday in the race for the city’s state house seat and will become the first Democrat in 20 years to represent the 96th district.”
Intelligencer Journal story (Nov. 7, 1995)
Sturla’s first chairmanship
Intelligencer Journal (Jan. 20, 2007)
“State Rep. Mike Sturla, a Lancaster city Democrat, was named chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee, his first chairmanship since being elected to the Legislature in 1991.”
Intelligencer Journal story (Jan. 20, 2007)
Sturla posted to leadership
Intelligencer Journal (Nov. 19, 2008)
“For the first time in seven years, a Lancaster County lawmaker will hold a leadership position in the [state] House of Representatives.”
Intelligencer Journal story (Nov. 19, 2008)
Sturla’s first giveaway
Sunday News (Aug. 26, 2012)
“But the response to Saturday’s giveaway far exceeded organizers’ expectations. The demand was so great that there weren’t enough school bags and supplies to go around.”
Sunday News (Aug. 26, 2012)
Sturla booted from leadership
LNP (Nov. 29, 2020)
“State Rep. Mike Sturla, the 15-term legislator from Lancaster city, easily won reelection on Nov. 3, running unopposed. But nine days after the election, a majority of his colleagues voted against his bid to return as chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, a key leadership post responsible for setting the caucus agenda.”
LNP story (Nov. 29, 2020)
Sturla vs. Gulick
LNP (April 28, 2022)
“The 16-term lawmaker, long the only Democrat representing Lancaster County in the state House and a politician who hasn’t faced a primary challenge since he was first elected in 1990, is facing Manheim Township resident Dana Hamp Gulick in the May 17 primary.”
LNP story (April 28, 2022)
Sturla education bill advances
LNP (June 5, 2024)
“Sturla, one of the longest-serving members in the General Assembly, told LNP | LancasterOnline last week that advocating for the commission’s recommendations will be his only priority during this year’s budget negotiations.”
LNP story (June 5, 2024)
Sturla withdraws
LNP (Aug. 13, 2024)
“Lancaster city state Rep. Mike Sturla withdrew his candidacy for reelection on Monday, leaving Democrats less than two weeks to find a candidate to replace him on the ballot.”
LNP story (Aug. 13, 2024)
Sturla’s last giveaway
LNP (Aug. 19, 2024)
“Lancaster, Hempfield, Manheim Township and Penn Manor students crowded Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaser city Sunday to receive free backpacks, school supplies and clothes through an annual giveaway hosted by Democratic state Rep. Mike Sturla… and Democratic state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El…”
LNP story (Aug. 19, 2024)
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Mike Sturla slung his gray jacket over his left shoulder and hunched his head toward the flo…
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:30 p.m. to include updated vote counts.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Dec. 19 at 7:36 p.m., after the House’s floor vote.
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