He served as Majority Leader of the House from 2009 to 2013 before being elected Speaker of the House in 2013.[1] He stepped down from his role as speaker in June 2024 and was replaced by Valerie Longhurst.[3]
In 2023, Schwartzkopf announced his intention to not seek reelection in the following year.[3] He subsequently endorsed former state auditor Kathy McGuiness to take his seat representing the 14th district.[4] Schwartzkopf is a longtime friend of McGuiness, who was forced to resign as auditor in 2022 after her criminal conviction for misdeameanor conflict of interest, a charge which Schwartkopf descirbed as "bogus" in his endorsement.[2][4]
In 2002, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 4,530 votes (53.1%) against Republican nominee Michael A. Meoli and Libertarian nominee Everett M. Wodiska.[5]
In 2004, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,396 votes (67.8%) against Republican nominee Mary Spicer and Libertarian nominee Everett M. Wodiska.[6]
In 2006, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 6,610 votes (69.2%) against Republican nominee Kirk A. Pope Jr. and Independent nominee Maurice J. Barros.[7]
In 2008, Schwartzkopf was unopposed in the general election, winning 10,616 votes.[8]
In 2010, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 6,425 votes (53.7%) against Republican nominee Christopher J. Weeks.[9]
In 2012, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,250 votes (89.9%) against Libertarian nominee Margaret V. Melson.[10]
In 2014, Schwartzkopf was unopposed in the general election, winning 5,911 votes.[11]
In 2016, Schwartzkopf won the Democratic primary with 1,868 votes (73.9%) against Don R. Peterson.[12] He went on to win the general election with 9,297 votes (63.6%) against Republican nominee James Louis DeMartino.[13]
In 2018, Schwartzkopf won the general election with 8,530 votes (62.5%) in a rematch against Republican nominee James Louis DeMartino.[14]
