Catherine Baker Knoll
| Catherine Baker Knoll | |
|---|---|
Catherine Baker Knoll in January 2006
|
|
| 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania | |
|
In office January 21, 2003 – November 12, 2008 |
|
| Governor | Ed Rendell |
| Preceded by | Robert Jubelirer |
| Succeeded by | Joe Scarnati |
| 32nd Treasurer of Pennsylvania | |
|
In office January 18, 1989 – January 22, 1997 |
|
| Preceded by | Davis Greene |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Hafer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Catherine Baker September 3, 1930 McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S |
| Died | November 12, 2008 (aged 78) New York City. NY, U.S |
| Resting place |
Allegheny County Memorial Park Allison Park, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Charles A. Knoll |
| Profession | Teacher, businesswoman, politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Catherine Baker Knoll (September 3, 1930 – November 12, 2008) was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving under Governor Ed Rendell from 2003 to 2008.
Catherine Baker was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rocks, the daughter of Nick Baker, a successful man who later served as mayor of McKees Rocks and Teresa May (one of eleven children). She was one of nine children, one of five girls and four boys. While a graduate at Duquesne University in 1952, she met and married Charles A. Knoll, a restaurateur and hotel owner 17 years her senior, who became the Postmaster of the Stowe, Kennedy, and McKees Rocks area. Charles Knoll and Catherine had three sons and one daughter. Their names are Charles A. Knoll Jr., Mina Baker Knoll, Albert Baker Knoll, and Kim Eric Knoll.
Knoll began her political career as a campaign worker for local and statewide Democratic candidates, first for her father, Nick, and later for Governor Milton Shapp. When Shapp was elected governor in 1970, he awarded Knoll a job with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
In 1976, she ran for the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer but lost to Robert E. Casey, who was unrelated to, but often confused with Bob Casey who went on to become Governor of Pennsylvania. She ran again in 1984 but lost a close primary in which her opponent, Auditor General Al Benedict, originally conceded on election night but later withdrew his concession. In 1988, one year after her husband's death, she ran a third time and was elected State Treasurer of Pennsylvania.
She streamlined and modernized the Treasurer's office during her eight-year tenure and started the Pennsylvania TAP program (Tuition Account Program), built the PA Treasury Investment Center, and started a partnership with PA Home Builders, PA Community Banks, to build PA Affordable Housing in 67 counties of Pennsylvania) according to the population of each county.
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