Representative Russ Diamond

Russell H. Diamond was born on July 26, 1963, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Lebanon County. He is a Republican politician and businessman who has represented the 102nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since his election in 2014. The district includes portions of Lebanon County, encompassing townships such as Annville, Bethel, East Hanover, Jackson, North Londonderry, and Swatara, as well as several boroughs including Jonestown, Palmyra, and Richland.

Prior to his election to the General Assembly, Diamond was recognized as a government reform advocate. He was named one of three Citizens of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2006 for his reform work and received the Public Service Achievement Award from Common Cause of Pennsylvania that same year. He was also named Communicator of the Year by the Harrisburg chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

Education and Early Career

Diamond graduated from North Lebanon High School and Lebanon County Vo-Tech in 1981. He initially entered the workforce as a production laborer at O'Sullivan Corporation in Lebanon. After seven years, he pursued his dream of becoming a professional musician before eventually establishing himself as a small business owner and author. He is also a licensed private pilot.

Political Experience and Notable Achievements

In the Pennsylvania House, Diamond has focused on government transparency, reducing wasteful spending, and protecting Second Amendment rights. He led the legislative effort against COVID-related lockdowns in 2020, resulting in Pennsylvania becoming the only state in the nation to reduce a governor's emergency powers. He has been actively involved in election integrity efforts and serves as the House Republican Caucus' representative on the Joint State Government Commission's Election Law Advisory Board.

Diamond has also advocated for reducing the tax burden on Pennsylvanians, removing unnecessary business regulations to encourage job creation, and overhauling the state's pension systems. In the 2023-24 Legislative Session, he was appointed Republican Chair of the Gaming Oversight Committee.