About ryan

Ryan was born in southern Lancaster County and raised on a dairy farm. It was there that he learned from his grandparents and parents the values of hard work, faith, freedom and family. Those are values he has carried with him throughout his life - be it as a graduate of our local public schools and later The Citadel military academy in South Carolina, or today as a husband, father and public servant. Ryan also shares the core conservative beliefs of so many of us across Lancaster County: he is ardently pro-life, a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and an active member of his church and faith.

After graduating from The Citadel, Ryan served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, briefly commanding an infantry company of 150 soldiers after his company commander was wounded in action. He also served on battalion staff as a civil affairs officer. During his military career, Ryan earned several awards, including the Bronze Start Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Parachutist Badge. 

Ryan was taught early in life that family comes first. That is what drives him in his own life, and it is what drives him as a public servant as well.  As State Senator, Ryan focuses on conservative principles that will make Pennsylvania a better place for families: good jobs, safe communities, strong schools, a thriving economy, strong natural resources, and so much more. As a dad to his kids, Jack and June, a husband to his wife, Kate, and as son and a brother to his mom and siblings, he works hard to live a life that helps make their lives better every day.

Ryan's life in public service began not in politics, but in the Armed Services - the U.S. Army, serving our nation overseas. In fact, politics was not where he saw himself when he came home. Instead, Ryan entered the private sector, leading others and working to create good-paying jobs.  But when his neighbors approached him to run for local Borough Council, Ryan answered their call to service and his life in government service began. From there, the people of Lancaster County elected him as their Clerk of Courts, where he increased efficiency and saved tax dollars, and then he was elected to the state House of Representatives where he helped pass laws to stand up to the special interests. In 2014, his neighbors called on him once again to be their voice by filling an open State Senate seat. In every role he has served, Ryan has followed a simple principle: "do what is right, not what is easy."