Veteran PA State Sen. Bob Mensch announces retirement, cites age, workload

State Sen. Bob Mensch, an 18-year veteran of politics and former supervisor in Marlborough, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of his term in 2023.

Mensch, 76, said it was time to step aside, acknowledging the demands of the job and his age were determining factors.

"I (have) been in state government for 16 years, and now, at 76, I feel like I want to take a little time for myself, family and friends," said Mensch, R–24th. "Serving constituents has been a fantastic experience, but the 80-hour workweeks take their toll, so it’s time to open the next chapter in my life."

Mensch served as a supervisor in Marlborough from 2003 to 2005, and as chairman of the board in 2005. From there, Mensch served three years as the state representative of the 147th Legislative District before winning a state senate special election in 2009.

His district spans Bucks, Berks and Montgomery counties. In Bucks, the district includes Tinicum, Buckingham, Bridgeton, Durham, Springfield, Richland, Quakertown and Milford.

Mensch established himself as a law-and-order politician, supporter of first responders and a keen player on environmental issues during his time in office.

Appointed to the Children's Trust Fund Board while serving as state representative, Mensch also served on the Task Force on Crime and Violence, the Commonwealth Debt Task Force, the Energy Task Force, and the Select Committee on Information Security.

 Mensch said his most significant achievement was saving the budget for hazardous sites cleanup.

The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act provides the Department of  Environmental Protection with the funding and authority to conduct cleanup actions at sites where hazardous substances have been released. The act also provides the Department with enforcement authority to force the persons who are responsible for releases of hazardous substances to conduct cleanup actions or to repay public funds spent on a cleanup action.

"The need for HSCA funding is great and saving that line item impacted countless lives in my district,” Mensch said.

He also supported various women's health initiatives, including efforts to improve insurance and mammography coverage. Mensch said he developed a "strong working relationship" with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, which awarded the Senator twice with its "Pink Ribbon" award.

“The first legislative effort provided a new screening and reporting system for patients determined to have dense breasts, which can disguise cancer and delay by months or years its detection," Mensch said. "My second breast cancer legislation expanded MRI coverage for patients who didn’t have it before. Most recently I legislated a driver license check-off for breast cancer research funding."

Mensch also waded into the contentious 2020 elections and fallout, as he was one of the senators who voted in favor to audit the legitimacy of the Presidential election.

Mensch said he is announcing his retirement now to give the party and candidates ample time to prepare for election.

Mensch said he will be looking forward to a retirement filled with music and plans to continue to play with his bands Red Hill Band and Swing Shift. Still, Mensch admitted that after nearly two decades as a public servant, he ill miss that level of interaction.

“I will truly miss the personal commitment I feel to the constituents of the 24th District, and by extension, all the citizens of Pennsylvania," Mensch said. "I will miss working with wonderful people; my staff, fellow Senators, House members, and very much the interaction with the constituents."

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