Peter Schwartzkopf
Peter Schwartzkopf | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – June 30, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Gilligan |
| Succeeded by | Valerie Longhurst |
| Majority Leader of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
| In office January 13, 2009 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Richard C. Cathcart |
| Succeeded by | Valerie Longhurst |
| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| In office November 6, 2002 – November 5, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Richard DiLiberto |
| Succeeded by | Claire Snyder-Hall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 15, 1955 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Delaware Technical Community College Wilmington University (BA) |
Peter C. Schwartzkopf (born January 15, 1955) is an American politician and former Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 14th district from 2002 to 2024. His district covers Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Dewey Beach in Sussex County. Prior to his election to the House, he was a state police officer.
He served as Majority Leader of the House from 2009 to 2013 before being elected Speaker of the House in 2013. He stepped down from his role as speaker in June 2024 and was replaced by Valerie Longhurst.
In 2023, Schwartzkopf announced his intention to not seek reelection in the following year. He subsequently endorsed former state auditor Kathy McGuiness to take his seat representing the 14th district. Schwartzkopf is a longtime friend of McGuiness, who was forced to resign as auditor in 2022 after her criminal conviction for misdemeanor conflict of interest, a charge which Schwartkopf described as "bogus" in his endorsement. McGuiness subsequently lost the primary election to Claire Snyder-Hall, who was elected to fill the seat in the general election.