Jim Roebuck speaking at a local event in 2012 (Photo West Philly Local)

We are sad to report that James R. “Jim” Roebuck, the former state representative from West Philadelphia, has passed away. He was 79.

Roebuck served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 188th District, which comprises many West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods, from University City to Cobbs Creek and Kingsessing, from 1985 to 2020.

Roebuck was born in Philadelphia in 1945 and graduated from Central High School in 1963. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He worked as an assistant professor of history at Drexel University from 1977 to 1984.

Roebuck won a special election on May 21, 1985 to represent the 188th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was then reelected 17 more times and served as state representative for the district for 35 years until he lost the primary election to the current office holder, Rep. Rick Krajewski, in 2020.

Roebuck was a longtime chairman of the House Education Committee and fought for full and fair funding for public education.

“Representative Jim Roebuck was a good man with a deep and unfailing commitment to public education, to his constituents, and to the city and commonwealth at large,” Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President, Jerry T. Jordan said in a statement.

Roebuck was a longtime Spruce Hill neighborhood resident and was an active member of his community for many years.

Photo from rickforwestphilly.com

The 188th State House District, which encompasses West Philadelphia neighborhoods of Spruce Hill, Walnut Hill, Squirrel Hill, Garden Court, Cedar Park, and University City, will likely have a new representative after the November election for the first time in 35 years. Community organizer, criminal justice advocate, educator and artist Rick Krajewski has defeated longtime incumbent Jim Roebuck in the June 2 primary. The primary winner is almost assured of winning the seat in the November general election.

Krajewski was endorsed by City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Senator Bernie Sanders among others and far outspent Roebuck and fellow challengers – Ward leader Gregory Benjamin and former Roebuck aide Karen Dunn.  Continue Reading

Kingsessing Library (Photo from freelibrary.org).

State Rep. Jim Roebuck recently announced that $480,000 is on its way to the Kingsessing Library to repair and upgrade the building, which is located at 1201 S. 51st St.

The Kingsessing Library opened in 1919 and was last renovated in 1999.

The funding is part of more than $3 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds that will be used to fund projects in the 188th legislative district.

Project funds also include $2 million to the Community College of Philadelphia’s West Philadelphia Regional Campus to develop a Career and Advanced Technology Center.