Steve grew up in New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, and his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law. He became shareholder in a law firm, later founded his own solo practice, and is now Of Counsel with Irwin & McKnight, P.C., in Carlisle, Pa., where he resides. He was an instructor and lecturer at Messiah College, teaching courses in economics, business law and personal finance, and has served as a faculty member for Pennsylvania Bar Institute continuing legal education programs.
In 2010, Steve was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served four two-year terms. In 2018, he entered a competitive race for U.S. Congress, finishing a strong third among eight candidates in the Republican primary.
As a state representative, Steve's mission was to cut the size and scope of government, reduce the burden of taxes and unnecessary regulation, defend constitutional liberties and, by doing those things, unleash the power of free enterprise to create jobs and prosperity. For his work advancing economic freedom in Pennsylvania, he was recognized as a Legislative Torch Bearer by Americans for Prosperity and as a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business. Steve was awarded a 90 percent lifetime rating by the American Conservative Union.
During his legislative service, Steve was appointed by the Speaker of the House as the chamber's majority trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System, which manages over $50 billion in public assets. He was also appointed as a Deputy Whip and a Deputy Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, and as a member of the House standing committees on Finance, Judiciary, Labor and Industry, Environmental Resources and Energy, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Urban Affairs.
Steve is a frequent media guest and speaker. He is author of The Believer's Guide to Legal Issues (Living Ink Books, 2008) and co-author of They've Crossed the Line: A Patriot's Guide to Religious Freedom (God & Country Press, 2013).
Despite their youthful appearance, Steve and his wife have three grown children, one daughter-in-law, and four grandsons. In 2017, City & State PA named Steve as one of its 50 Over 50 Most Distinguished Citizens of Pennsylvania.
