Editing Arlen Specter

{{Infobox person
|name = Arlen Specter
|image =
|birth_date = February 12, 1930
|birth_place = Wichita, Kansas
|death_date = October 14, 2012
|death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|occupation = Politician, attorney
|years_active = 1959–2011
|notable_works = Five-term U.S. Senator, Warren Commission staff, Philadelphia District Attorney
}}

'''Arlen Specter''' (February 12, 1930 – October 14, 2012) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania for five terms (1981–2011). One of the longest-serving senators in Pennsylvania history, Specter was known for his centrist positions and willingness to work across party lines.

== Early Life and Legal Career ==

Specter was born in Wichita, Kansas, and grew up in Russell, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/politics/arlen-specter-senator-who-switched-parties-dies-at-82.html |title=Arlen Specter, Five-Term Senator, Dies at 82 |publisher=New York Times |date=October 14, 2012}}</ref>

=== Warren Commission ===

As an assistant counsel to the Warren Commission investigating President Kennedy's assassination (1964), Specter developed the controversial "single-bullet theory" (sometimes called the "magic bullet theory"), which explained how a single bullet caused multiple wounds to both Kennedy and Governor John Connally.

=== Philadelphia District Attorney ===

Specter served as Philadelphia District Attorney from 1966 to 1974. As DA, he:
* Prosecuted organized crime
* Investigated police corruption
* Built a reputation as a tough, independent prosecutor

== U.S. Senate Career ==

Specter served in the U.S. Senate from 1981 to 2011, initially as a Republican. He was known for:

=== Major Positions ===
* Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee
* Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee
* Senior member of the Appropriations Committee

=== Notable Actions ===
* Cross-examination of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings (1991)
* Opposition to Robert Bork's Supreme Court nomination
* Support for Roe v. Wade as a Republican senator
* Advocacy for increased medical research funding

=== Party Switch ===

In April 2009, Specter switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party, citing the Republican Party's shift to the right. The switch was controversial and ultimately contributed to his defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary.

== Political Style ==

Specter was known as a centrist and moderate who:
* Crossed party lines on key votes
* Focused on constituent services for Pennsylvania
* Advocated for medical research funding
* Took independent positions on judicial nominations

His willingness to break with his party made him influential but also earned him enemies in both parties.

== Philadelphia Legacy ==

Specter maintained strong ties to Philadelphia throughout his career:
* Remained a resident of Philadelphia
* Taught at the University of Pennsylvania Law School
* Was known for regular constituent office hours in the city
* Died in Philadelphia in 2012

== Personal Life ==

Specter was married to Joan Specter, a Philadelphia City Council member. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2005, battled brain cancer, and died in 2012 at age 82.

== See Also ==
* [[Philadelphia City Council]]
* [[Philadelphia District Attorney]]
* [[University of Pennsylvania]]

== References ==
<references />

{{#seo:
|title=Arlen Specter - Philadelphia Wiki
|description=Arlen Specter, five-term U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, former Philadelphia District Attorney, known for centrist politics and Warren Commission work.
|keywords=Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Senator, Philadelphia politics, District Attorney, Warren Commission, single bullet theory
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Government]]
[[Category:Attorneys]]