15 Facts About Genevieve Blatt

Genevieve Blatt was an American politician and attorney from Pennsylvania.

Genevieve Blatt became the first woman to hold statewide elected office in Pennsylvania when she was elected State Secretary of Internal Affairs in 1954, and she ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic Party nominee in the 1964 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania.

Genevieve Blatt received a JD from Pittsburgh's law school in 1937.

Genevieve Blatt became secretary and chief examiner of the Pittsburgh Civil Service Commission in 1938, and went on to serve as an assistant city solicitor.

Genevieve Blatt became active in Democratic politics in the 1930s, beginning with her selection as a delegate to the 1936 Democratic National Convention, where she was the first delegate to vote for Roosevelt.

Genevieve Blatt went on to attend every succeeding convention through 1972.

Genevieve Blatt later served on the National Committee's policy committee, and was vice chair of the Pennsylvania delegation to the 1956 convention.

Genevieve Blatt made her first run for elected office in 1950, when she unsuccessfully sought the office of State Auditor General.

Genevieve Blatt was re-elected in 1958 and 1962 but lost her bid for a fourth term in 1966, when she was narrowly defeated by Republican John Tabor.

In 1964, Genevieve Blatt challenged incumbent Republican Senator Hugh Scott, who was seeking a second term.

Genevieve Blatt narrowly defeated the 1950 nominee for Lieutenant Governor Michael Musmanno, by about 500 votes out of over 900,000 cast, in the Democratic primary.

Genevieve Blatt was preceded by Emma Guffey Miller and succeeded by Rita Wilson Kane.

Genevieve Blatt resigned from the national committee in 1972, following her appointment to a seat on the Commonwealth Court by Governor Milton Shapp.

Genevieve Blatt served on the court until her retirement at the end of 1993, easily surviving multiple retention votes.

Genevieve Blatt died at a retirement home in Hampden Township in July 1996.