View source for Joe Hoeffel

{{Short description|American politician (born 1950)}}
{{Redirect|Joseph Hoeffel|his grandfather, the American football player and coach|Joseph Hoeffel (American football)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Joe Hoeffel
|image        = Joe Hoeffel Headshot February 2010.jpg
|office       = Member of the [[Montgomery County Board of Commissioners]]
|term_start   = January 7, 2008
|term_end     = January 3, 2012
|predecessor  = [[Ruth Damsker]]
|successor    = [[Josh Shapiro]]
|term_start1  = January 6, 1992
|term_end1    = January 3, 1999
|predecessor1 = [[Rita Banning]]
|successor1   = [[James Maza]]
|state2       = [[Pennsylvania]]
|district2    = {{ushr|PA|13|13th}}
|term_start2  = January 3, 1999
|term_end2    = January 3, 2005
|predecessor2 = [[Jon Fox]]
|successor2   = [[Allyson Schwartz]]
|state_house3 = Pennsylvania
|district3    = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 153|153rd]]
|term_start3  = January 4, 1977
|term_end3    = November 30, 1984
|predecessor3 = [[Daniel Beren]]
|successor3   = [[Jon Fox]]
|birth_name   = Joseph Merrill Hoeffel III
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1950|9|3}}
|birth_place  = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|spouse       = Francesca Hoeffel
|relatives    = [[Joseph Hoeffel (American football)|Joseph Hoeffel]] (grandfather)
|children     = 2
|education    = [[Boston University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Temple University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|signature    = Joe Hoeffel signature.svg
|branch       = {{army|United States}}
|serviceyears = 1970–1976
|unit         = [[United States Army Reserve]]
}}
'''Joseph Merrill Hoeffel III''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ʌ|f|əl}} {{respell|HUF|əl}}; born September 3, 1950) is an American author and politician. A [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], Hoeffel was a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1999 to 2005, representing [[Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district]]. He also served multiple terms on the [[Montgomery County Board of Commissioners]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Klein Funk |first=Leslie |title=New Montco Commissioners Look Ahead |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/91980168.html?dids=91980168:91980168&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+07%2C+1992&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK%2C+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=NEW+MONTCO+COMMISSIONERS+LOOK+AHEAD+COUNTY+LEADERS+TAKE+OFFICE+IN+BUCKS%2C+MONTGOMERY&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713081902/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/91980168.html?dids=91980168:91980168&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+07,+1992&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK,+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=NEW+MONTCO+COMMISSIONERS+LOOK+AHEAD+COUNTY+LEADERS+TAKE+OFFICE+IN+BUCKS,+MONTGOMERY&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=January 8, 2012 |newspaper=The Allentown Morning Call |date=January 7, 1992}}</ref><ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BURB&p_multi=DPIB&p_theme=burb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1208DD051D929A38&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM The Intelligencer]</ref><ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5CDA8960D5CB5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM The Philadelphia Inquirer]</ref> and from 1977–84, was a member of the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]]. A native of [[Philadelphia]], he is a graduate of [[Boston University]] and [[Temple University Beasley School of Law|Temple University School of Law]].

Hoeffel was an unsuccessful candidate for the [[United States Senate]] in [[2004 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania|2004]], and for [[List of Governors of Pennsylvania|Governor of Pennsylvania]] in [[2010 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election|2010]].

== Background ==
Hoeffel was born in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], to Joseph and Eleanore Hoeffel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/candidates/22879/ |title=Archived copy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2017-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033714/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/candidates/22879/ |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> After graduating from [[William Penn Charter School]] in 1968, he attended [[Boston University]] and earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in English in 1972. He served in the [[United States Army Reserve|Army Reserves]] from 1970 to 1976.<ref name=hoeffel>{{cite news|work=Friends of Joe Hoeffel |title=Joseph M. Hoeffel Resume & Biography |url=http://friendsofjoehoeffel.com/resume.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805063453/http://friendsofjoehoeffel.com/resume.html |archive-date=2010-08-05 }}</ref>

He first became involved in politics during the [[1972 United States presidential election|1972 presidential election]], when his opposition to the [[Vietnam War]] led him to support Senator [[George McGovern]].<ref name=philly>{{cite news|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|title=Hoeffel's run for governor is latest in a long quest|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100505_hoeffel_s_run_for_governor_is_latest_in_a_long_quest.html|last=Nunnally|first=Derrick}}</ref> In 1973, he became a legislative aide to Representative [[Gerry Studds]] of [[Massachusetts]], for whom Hoeffel did research on foreign [[overfishing]].<ref name=philly/>

==Political career==
[[File:JHoeffel.jpg|thumb|right|Hoeffel's official congressional photo]]
After working for Studds for a year, Hoeffel challenged four-term [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent [[Daniel Beren]] for a seat in the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]], representing the Abington-based [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 153|153rd district]], in 1974. He was defeated by 1,505 votes.<ref name=philly/> From 1975 to 1976, he was the Central [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] administrator for the [[American Red Cross]].<ref name=hoeffel/>

Hoeffel successfully ran again for state House in 1976, after Beren decided to not seek re-election. He was the first Democrat to represent the Abington area since [[World War I]]. He served from 1977 to 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/hoeffel/news_bio.htm |title=Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Hoeffel Biography Page |access-date=2017-03-29 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021225070613/http://www.house.gov/hoeffel/news_bio.htm |archive-date=December 25, 2002 }}</ref> The first bill he passed as a state legislator was a campaign reform proposal in 1978 improving financial disclosure.<ref name=hoeffel/>

In 1984, he gave up his seat to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the [[Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district|13th congressional district]], but was defeated by longtime Republican incumbent [[Lawrence Coughlin]]. Hoeffel sought a rematch in 1986, and was defeated again. He received his [[Juris Doctor]] degree from [[Temple University Beasley School of Law|Temple University School of Law]] in 1986, and then worked at the [[Norristown, Pennsylvania|Norristown]] law firms of Wright, Manning, Kinkaid & Oliver (1987–90) and Kane, Pugh & Driscoll (1990–91).<ref name=philly/>

After several years out of politics, Hoeffel won a seat on the Montgomery County Commission in 1991. In a surprise to the political establishment, Hoeffel supported Republican Mario Mele for Commission chairman over [[Jon Fox]].<ref>[http://inquirer.philly.com/opinion/mario.html Karen E. Quinones Miller, Mele Won't Give Up Chairmanship, as Informally Planned, ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', 1/9/98] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929133347/http://inquirer.philly.com/opinion/mario.html |date=2007-09-29 }}</ref>

===Career in Congress===
In 1996, Hoeffel made a third run at Congress, taking on his former colleague on the Montgomery County Commission, [[Jon Fox]], now a first-term Congressman. That year, Fox hung onto his seat by an 84-vote margin.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29750 1996 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/5/96]</ref> However, in 1998, in his fourth attempt, Hoeffel broke through. Hobbled by a tough Republican primary and the fallout from [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|the impeachment process]] against President [[Bill Clinton]], Fox could not hang on a second time. Hoeffel won by more than 5,000 votes.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30872 1998 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/3/98]</ref>  Hoeffel became only the second Democrat to represent the Montgomery County-based district in 86 years.

He won re-election twice, though not without difficulty.  In 2000 he won an expensive race against Republican [[Pennsylvania Senate|State Senator]] [[Stewart Greenleaf]], who represented most of the eastern portion of the congressional district. He thus became the first Democrat to serve more than one term in the district in decades. In 2002, he defeated wealthy ophthalmologist [[Melissa Brown (politician)|Melissa Brown]] by less than expected; the 13th had been made somewhat more Democratic with the addition of part of Philadelphia. During the 2002 election, Hoeffel's website was praised as among the best of the 2002 election cycle.<ref name=bestweb>{{cite web| last = Drulis| first=Michael| title = Best & Worst Websites| work = [[PoliticsPA]]|publisher = The Publius Group| year = 2002| url = http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/websites.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021017215729/http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/websites.htm| archive-date = 2002-10-17}}</ref>

In Congress, Hoeffel was a member of two [[United States House of Representatives committees|House committees]]: [[U.S. House Committee on International Relations|International Relations]] and [[U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Transportation and Infrastructure]].

On July 20, 2004, Hoeffel became the third sitting [[U.S. Congressman]] in one week, following [[Charles Rangel]] and [[Bobby Rush]], to be arrested for [[trespassing]] while protesting alleged [[human rights]] violations in front of the [[Sudan]]ese Embassy. U.S. Senator [[Arlen Specter]], Hoeffel's [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] opponent in the 2004 [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] race, criticized the [[arrest]] as a [[publicity]] stunt.

Rather than holding onto his seat, Hoeffel decided in 2004 to run for the [[U.S. Senate]] against incumbent Republican [[Arlen Specter]]. In the election held on November 2, 2004, Hoeffel was defeated by more than ten points to Specter, 53%-42%, and only carried four counties.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3814 2004 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/2/04]</ref>  Hoeffel was at a considerable disadvantage because of Specter's popularity in the Philadelphia suburbs.

===After Congress===
Hoeffel endorsed [[Bob Casey, Jr.]] for the United States Senate in [[United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2006|2006]]; Casey defeated incumbent Republican [[Rick Santorum]] by a wide margin.

Hoeffel announced that he would run for [[Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania|lieutenant governor]] in [[Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2006|March 2006]] against incumbent [[Catherine Baker Knoll]], but dropped out of the race a day later. [[Governor of Pennsylvania|Governor]] [[Ed Rendell]] convinced Hoeffel that the Democratic ticket needed geographic balance; Knoll is from [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny County]]; Rendell is from Philadelphia.<ref>[http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/13892284.htm Hoeffel relents on lieutenant governor race , ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', 3/9/06]</ref> The Democratic Committees of Bucks and Chester Counties had overwhelmingly voted to endorse him over Knoll.<ref>[http://www.bucksdemocrats.com/displaynews.asp?id=42 Press Release, Bucks County Democratic Party] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827234953/http://bucksdemocrats.com/displaynews.asp?id=42|date=2006-08-27}}</ref>

In February 2007, Hoeffel announced that he would resign his post in order to run for the Montgomery County Commission with incumbent Ruth Damsker.  Hoeffel's and Damsker's opponents were incumbent [[Jim Matthews (politician)|Jim Matthews]] and district attorney [[Bruce L. Castor, Jr.|Bruce Castor]].<ref>[http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20070215_Hoeffel_planning_to_run_again_for_Montco_commissioner.html Hoeffel planning to run again for Montco commissioner], philly.com, February 15, 2007.</ref>

Hopes were high that the Democrats could win majority control on the commission due to party gains in the county and a fractured county Republican party.  Hoeffel finished second, behind Castor, winning a seat on the Commission, but his running mate fell short, keeping control in Republican hands.<ref>[http://www.thereporteronline.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;jsessionid=mrlNHyJMRg392hyhM1xDRRZsjK6ylpK9FWH2p49jB1SqhhvLn7wy!290571576?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FTRO%2FHome&r21.content=%2FTRO%2FHome%2FContentTab_Feature_828528 County Republicans retain power , Margaret Gibbons, The Reporter (Lansdale, PA), 11/6/07]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  However, thanks to a deal with Matthews, Hoeffel became Vice Chairman of the Commission, in exchange for supporting Matthews' bid to become Chairman over Castor.<ref>Emilie Lounsberry,[http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20071218_GOP_and_Dems_split_Montco__Castor_on_the_outs.html "GOP and Dems split Montco; Castor on the outs"], ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', December 18, 2007.</ref>

====2010 gubernatorial campaign====
{{Main|2010 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election}}
On September 20, 2009, Hoeffel announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for [[Governor of Pennsylvania]]. During the campaign, he called for the introduction of a [[progressive tax|graduated income tax]] for the state, supported the implementation of a statewide [[single-payer health care]] program, stressed his [[pro-choice]] position on [[abortion]] and opposition to [[school voucher]]s, and distinguished himself as the only candidate supporting the legalization of [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joehoeffel2010.com/issues|title=On the Issues &#124; Joe Hoeffel for Governor of Pennsylvania|access-date=2010-05-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527072314/http://joehoeffel2010.com/issues|archive-date=2010-05-27}}</ref>

He received endorsements from [[National Organization for Women|NOW]], the [[National Stonewall Democrats|Stonewall Democrats]], the [[United Auto Workers]], and various local affiliates of [[Democracy for America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joehoeffel2010.com/endorsements|title=Endorsements &#124; Joe Hoeffel for Governor of Pennsylvania|access-date=March 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224095708/http://joehoeffel2010.com/endorsements|archive-date=February 24, 2010 }}</ref>

In the May 18, 2010 primary, he placed fourth out of four candidates, receiving 130,799 votes, or 12.7% of the total votes cast, and winning Montgomery County, though without a majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=34&OfficeID=3|title=Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information|access-date=2010-08-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522155718/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=34&OfficeID=3|archive-date=2010-05-22}}</ref>

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2010 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary results <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Governor/2010/PA|title=The 2010 Results Maps|publisher=Politico.Com|access-date=2017-06-07}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''[[Dan Onorato]]'''
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = '''452,611'''
| percentage = '''45.1'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Jack Wagner (politician)|Jack Wagner]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 244,234
| percentage = 24.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Anthony H. Williams|Anthony Williams]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 180,932
| percentage = 18.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joe Hoeffel
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 125,989
| percentage = 12.6
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,003,766
| percentage = 97.7
}}
{{Election box end}}

====Subsequent political career====
Within days of losing the 2010 primary for governor, Hoeffel announced he would seek another term as county commissioner in 2011. He followed [[Jim Matthews (politician)|Matthews]], who also initially announced his intention to seek re-election.

A subsequent grand jury report {{clarify|date=June 2017}} found questionable behavior on Hoeffel's part for his participation in discussing county business at private breakfast meetings held with Matthews and senior aides–an alleged violation of state [[Freedom of information in the United States#State legislation|Sunshine laws]]. However, unlike Matthews, who was later alleged to have perjured himself while testifying to the grand jury,<ref name=pbtwo>{{cite news|last=Coughlin|first=Matt|title=Ex Montco commissioner to serve probation on false swearing charge, but unrepentant|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/ex-montco-commissioner-to-serve-probation-on-false-swearing-charge/article_3bc2f527-e74b-5506-a762-0dda0710ef4a.html?mode=print|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104114854/http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/ex-montco-commissioner-to-serve-probation-on-false-swearing-charge/article_3bc2f527-e74b-5506-a762-0dda0710ef4a.html?mode=print|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=PhillyBurbs.com|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Hoeffel was never charged with criminal wrongdoing.<ref name=pbone>{{cite news|last=Gibbons|first=Margaret|title=Matthews' day in court could come on May 31|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/matthews-day-in-court-could-come-on-may/article_e6305d40-bad1-594a-881d-756ea7274f7c.html?mode=print|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201011935/http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/matthews-day-in-court-could-come-on-may/article_e6305d40-bad1-594a-881d-756ea7274f7c.html?mode=print|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=PhillyBurbs.com|date=May 25, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=timesherald>{{cite news|last=DeHuff|first=Jenny|title=Commissioner Matthews arrested, resigns as chairman|url=http://www.timesherald.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/111209806&pager=full_story|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=The Times Herald|date=December 6, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110063848/http://www.timesherald.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/111209806%26pager%3Dfull_story |archive-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref>

On March 10, 2018, Hoeffel announced that he would seek to retake his old congressional seat, now renumbered as the [[Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district|4th District]]. A court-ordered remap had cut out the district's share of Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/former-rep-hoeffel-sees-opportunity-new-pennsylvania-district-lines|title=Former Rep. Hoeffel Sees Opportunity in New Pennsylvania Map|author=Griffin Connolly|publisher=[[Roll Call]]|date=March 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/19/upshot/pennsylvania-new-house-districts-gerrymandering.html |newspaper=The New York Times |department=The Upshot |title=The New Pennsylvania House Districts Are In. We Review the Mapmakers' Choices. |date=February 19, 2018 |access-date=February 20, 2018 |first1=Nate |last1=Cohn |first2=Matthew |last2=Bloch |first3=Kevin |last3=Quealy }}</ref> Although the new 4th was geographically similar to the area he had represented for his first two terms, he finished a distant third, with only 11 percent of the vote, well behind State Representative and fellow Abington resident [[Madeleine Dean]].

==Political positions==

===Education===
According to his campaign website, Hoeffel favors expanded funding for early childhood education programs, drop-out prevention and drop-out reengagement programs and centers, and basic education for school board members. He favors keeping the current [[defined benefit pension plan]] for all teachers over a change to a [[defined contribution plan]] for new hires. Hoeffel would continue the school funding formula implemented by Governor [[Ed Rendell]] to reduce dependence on local property taxes to fund schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joehoeffel2010.com |title=Joe Hoeffel on Education |publisher=Joe Hoeffel 2010 |access-date=2010-03-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328185436/http://joehoeffel2010.com/ |archive-date=2010-03-28 }}</ref>

===Labor===
Hoeffel has a lifetime 97% rating from the [[AFL–CIO]] and is endorsed by several labor unions in the Philadelphia area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joehoeffel2010.com/endorsements |title=Joe Hoeffel Endorsements |publisher=Joe Hoeffel 2010 |access-date=2010-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224095708/http://joehoeffel2010.com/endorsements |archive-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref>

===Abortion===
Hoeffel has a 100% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Joseph_Hoeffel_Abortion.htm#03n-NARAL |title=Joseph Hoeffel on Abortion |publisher=ontheissues.org |access-date=2010-03-02}}</ref>  He is endorsed by former [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]] President [[Kate Michelman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/82749137.html |title=Michelman, citing abortion rights, backs Hoeffel for governor |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=2010-03-02 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and by the Pennsylvania chapter of the [[National Organization for Women]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/blogs/now-its-hoeffels-turn-for-an-endorsement-1343242/|title=NOW it's Hoeffel's turn for an endorsement|last=Potter|first=Chris|website=[[Pittsburgh City Paper]]|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2010}}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
He favors amending Pennsylvania's Hate Crimes Law to include crimes targeting [[LGBT]] people and supports full marriage rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/steel-city/node/1040 |title=Steel City Stonewall Democrats - completed questionnaire from JOE HOEFFEL who is seeking election for Governor of Pennsylvania |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001043353/http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/steel-city/node/1040 |archive-date=2010-10-01 }}</ref>

== Writing ==
Hoeffel's book about his vote for the Iraq War, ''[http://www.progressivepress.com/book-listing/the-iraq-lie-how-white-house-sold-war The Iraq Lie: How the White House Sold the War]'', was published in 2014 by Progressive Press. Hoeffel provides a first-person account of the Congressional debate on the Iraq War Resolution, and argues that the Bush White House misled Congress and the country and took the United States to war in Iraq under false pretenses. Hoeffel suggests intelligence reforms to prevent such deceptions from happening again.

Hoeffel's second book, ''[http://www.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/product.aspx?pc=A5572C Fighting for the Progressive Center in the Age of Trump]'', was published in August 2017 by Praeger. In this book, Hoeffel argues that "progressives must fight for the political center of our civic arena with policies that are both socially liberal and fiscally responsible if we want to win the battle for public support against Donald Trump." The book is a mix of policy prescriptions which reject partisan extremes and rigid ideologies, with numerous anecdotes from 25 years serving in elected office at the county, state and federal levels.

==Personal life==
He is married to Francesca Hoeffel. They live in [[Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Abington Township]], a suburb of Philadelphia, and have two children. His grandfather, also named [[Joseph Hoeffel (American football)|Joseph M. "Joe" Hoeffel]], served as coach of the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1921.<ref>[http://www2.jsonline.com/packer/news/oct01/2lamsid28102701.asp Hoeffel was star player in high school, college, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/27/01] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929134526/http://www2.jsonline.com/packer/news/oct01/2lamsid28102701.asp |date=2007-09-29 }}</ref>

==Congressional electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Pennsylvania|13|}}: Results 1996–2002<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=2007-08-08 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 30, 2008 }}</ref>
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 1996|1996]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Joseph M. Hoeffel
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |120,220
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''[[Jon D. Fox]]'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |120,304
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Thomas Patrick Burke
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,930
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Bill Ryan
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |525
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 1998|1998]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|'''Joseph M. Hoeffel'''}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |95,105
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |52%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |[[Jon D. Fox]]
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |85,915
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |47%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Thomas Patrick Burke
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3,470
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2000|2000]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Joseph M. Hoeffel'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |146,026
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |53%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|[[Stewart J. Greenleaf]]}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |126,501
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |46%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Ken Cavanaugh
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,224
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2002|2002]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Joseph M. Hoeffel'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |107,945
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |51%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|[[Melissa Brown (politician)|Melissa Brown]]}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |100,295
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |47%
|
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |John P. McDermott
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |[[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |3,627
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
{{S-end}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ [[List of United States Senators from Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania Senator (Class III)]]: 2004 Results<ref name="clerkresults" />
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
|-
|[[U.S. Senate election, 2004|2004]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Joseph M. Hoeffel}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |2,334,126
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |42%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''[[Arlen Specter]]'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |2,925,080
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53%
|
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |James Clymer
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |[[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |220,056
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |4%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Betsy Summers
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |79,263
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
| |'''*'''
{{S-end}}
{{refbegin}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes:  In 2004, write-ins received 580 votes.

{{refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikisource|Author:Joseph M. Hoeffel}}
{{CongBio|H001031}}
*{{C-SPAN|45113}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jon Fox]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Pennsylvania|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district]]|years=1999–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Allyson Schwartz]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[William R. Lloyd Jr.|Bill Lloyd]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Pennsylvania]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 3]])|years=[[2004 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania|2004]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joe Sestak]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Paul McHale]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Melissa Hart (politician)|Melissa Hart]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=106th–108th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]]}}
{{USCongRep/PA/106}}
{{USCongRep/PA/107}}
{{USCongRep/PA/108}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoeffel, Joe}}
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