Arlen Specter served in the United States Senate for three decades, representing Pennsylvania from 1981 until 2011. A lawyer by training, he transitioned from a local prosecutor in Philadelphia to a national political figure known for navigating the ideological middle ground. His career included an early investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy and multiple party realignments.
Early Education and Military Service
Born in 1930 in Wichita, Kansas, Specter eventually moved to Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his degree in 1951 and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. During the Korean War, he served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of first lieutenant while working with the Office of Special Investigations.
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After his military service, Specter earned his law degree from Yale Law School. He entered private practice, co-founding a firm with Marvin Katz. In the early 1960s, he served as an assistant counsel for the Warren Commission. In this capacity, he helped develop the single-bullet theory, which posited that one projectile caused non-fatal wounds to both John F. Kennedy and Governor John Connally. This work served as a foundational element of the commission's investigation into the presidential assassination.
Philadelphia District Attorney
Specter began his political career as an assistant district attorney from 1959 to 1964. In 1965, he sought the office of District Attorney of Philadelphia. Though he started as a Democrat, he switched his registration to the Republican Party to mount his successful campaign against the incumbent, James C. Crumlish Jr. He held the position of District Attorney for eight years, serving two terms until 1974.
Senate Career and Party Affiliation
After unsuccessful attempts to gain higher office in the 1970s, Specter won election to the United States Senate in 1980. Over his thirty-year tenure, he served in various capacities, including time as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2005 to 2007. Throughout his time in Washington, D.C., he maintained a moderate political profile. In 2009, he shifted his party affiliation from Republican back to the Democratic Party. He left the Senate in 2011 following his defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary.
Fast facts
- Born: 1930, Wichita
- Died: 2012, Philadelphia
- Education: Yale Law School, University of Pennsylvania
- Political Party: Democrat (1951-1965, 2009-2012), Republican (1965-2009)
- Senate Service: 1981-2011
- Awards: ASCB Public Service Award (2005)
- Burial: Shalom Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
What was Arlen Specter's role in the Warren Commission?
He served as an assistant counsel and helped formulate the single-bullet theory.
How long did Arlen Specter serve in the United States Senate?
He represented Pennsylvania in the Senate for 30 years, from 1981 until 2011.
Achievements
- Affiliated with University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Educated at University of Oklahoma, University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School
- Worked as politician, military officer and lawyer
