In early 1991, residents of the 80th District prompted Stern to run for the General Assembly due to his responsiveness to residents’ concerns, community involvement and dedication as an elected county official.  

Prior to his election in 1992, Stern was very visible in the 80th District through his service to the Blair County court system for 11 years. He was elected in 1989 as Blair County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts after serving as Deputy Prothonotary from 1982 to 1989.  

In the House, Stern currently serves as the chairman of the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, which oversees the Commonwealth’s second-largest economic sector.  According to the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (PACVB), approximately 433,000 Pennsylvanians are employed in the tourism industry and visitors to Pennsylvania spent more than $31 billion in 2009. 

In past years, Jerry served as the House Republican Caucus Secretary and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the state’s annual operating budget. In 2003, he also served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Facilities, which oversees the Commonwealth’s 98 National Guard armories. Additionally, Stern has served on the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee as well as the Children and Youth Committee. From 2001 to 2006, Stern also was an appointee to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which helps reduce crime by supporting local crime fighting and crime prevention initiatives.  

A dedicated public servant, Stern stays very active in community affairs by volunteering his time to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. He also is a member of the Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church, Martinsburg Sportsmen’s Association, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce, Allegheny Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Hollidaysburg Community Partnership. Stern continues to be involved in agricultural affairs by serving as a member of the Blair County Farm Bureau.  

Stern also has been honored with the 2004 Visionary Award from the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and a Legislative Award from the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association at its 2004 annual conference. In 2007, he was awarded the Thomas J. Zuber Memorial Award for Patient Safety by the Service Employees International Union, District 1199P; and the Frederick L. Zimmerman Award by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission for his dedication to improving watershed management. In 2009, he received the SARL Award from the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders Association for excellence in agriculture and rural policy making. 

When commenting on his role as a legislator, Stern quotes Benjamin Franklin’s words upon being sworn in as a freshman member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1751, “I conceived my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good.” 

Stern and his wife, Susan, reside in the Martinsburg area. They have two children, Jason and Gretchen.

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