lose a primary election since 1964. The defeat was attributed primarily to his role in drafting a legislative pay raise bill in July 2005. Jubelirer initially defended the raise. However, after internal polling showed his support falling, he opened discussion of a repeal of the unvouchered expense provision. However, newspapers reported that he tried to block efforts to repeal the entire raise. In the wake of the controversy, the Senator issued a statement in which he called the pay raise a "mistake" ... I apologized for it in my district. I now think it was the wrong thing to do. Hindsight is 20-20. I'm not shifting the blame to anybody. I accept the responsibility." He pledged to return the money he had received from the unvouchered expense account. During the campaign, Jubelirer's more conservative challengers attacked him on abortion. Despite statements during the 2006 campaign that he was anti-abortion, Jubelirer's opposition to the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act and a "pro-choice" rating by both the National Abortion Rights Action League and Planned Parenthood were used by opponents to counter his arguments. He told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he was "a pro-choice Republican" and that he did not support the Republican platform on abortion. Jubelirer's initial annual pension was $90,934. 2013 Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees election Jubelirer attempted a comeback of sorts, seeking a seat on the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees. Despite an endorsement from former Gov. Tom Ridge, Jubelirer finished a distant sixth place, failing to earn one of the three seats. He was elected to The Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees in 2014. See also 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy Drew Crompton References External links Jubelirer's Lobbyist Registration Statement, palobbyingservices.state.pa.us; accessed June 30, 2017. 1937 births Living people Lieutenant Governors of Pennsylvania Republican Party Pennsylvania state senators Presidents pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Pennsylvania lawyers Jewish American state legislators in Pennsylvania Dickinson School of Law alumni Politicians from Altoona, Pennsylvania 21st-century American Jews