About
Senator Tim Kearney has represented Pennsylvania’s 26th District in eastern Delaware County since 2018, guided by a career that spans decades of community leadership, public service, and architectural practice. As the only architect in the Pennsylvania Senate, his background has informed a thoughtful, long-term approach to building sustainable, connected, and people-centered communities.
Throughout his career, Tim has championed the issues that strengthen localities and improve quality of life—fair and equitable access to public education, safe and healthy neighborhoods, resilient public health systems, clean energy and environmental stewardship, and well-funded transportation networks that connect people to opportunity.
His work reflects a belief that strong communities are built through strategic planning, inclusive decision making, and investments that support families, workers, and future generations. The son of a teacher, Tim believes that every child in the Commonwealth deserves a quality public education and a safe learning environment.
Tim’s commitment to public service began at the local level. He served 11 years on the Swarthmore Planning Commission, including seven years as Chair, before being elected to two terms as mayor. In total, he served the borough for 16 years, focusing on environmental and social issues, including efforts to make the community more pedestrian-friendly. These experiences continue to inform his focus on safe neighborhoods, connected communities, and planning that supports lasting community health.
In the Senate, Tim serves on five committees for the 2025–2026 legislative session.
He is the Democratic Chair of the Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee, supporting Pennsylvania’s job‑creating education and medical sectors and working to preserve access to healthcare across the Commonwealth. He also serves on the Appropriations Committee, where he reviews the fiscal impact of legislation and state budget matters; the Education Committee, where he works on statewide education policy and funding; the Local Government Committee, which allows him to engage directly with issues affecting municipalities and local governance; and the Transportation Committee, where he works on legislation involving roads, bridges, public transit, rail, and statewide infrastructure planning.
Tim currently serves as the Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Appointee on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Capitol Preservation Committee, the State Planning Board, and the Local Government Commission.
As part of his broad legislative work, Tim is also a member of several caucuses that span diverse policy areas. He plays active roles in the YMCA Caucus (Co‑Chair), the Brain Injury Caucus (Co‑Chair), the Southeast Caucus (Co‑Chair), the Fire & EMS Caucus (Co‑Chair), the After School Caucus (Co‑Chair), the Irish American Caucus (Co‑Chair), the LGBT Equality Caucus, and the Welcome PA Caucus, Climate Caucus, Women’s Health Caucus, PA SAFE Caucus, Life Sciences Caucus, Animal Protection Caucus, PA Manufacturing Caucus, PA Gardens Caucus, Asian American Caucus, Cannabis Caucus, and Arts + Culture Caucus.
Active in community events and local initiatives throughout the district, Tim maintains offices in Media and Upper Darby that provide constituents with easy access to a variety of state and local services.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Catholic University of America and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Drexel University and as a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.
He lives in Swarthmore with his wife, Claudia, and their COVID-era rescue dog, Chorizo. They have two grown children.
Updated April 2026
