Mezvinsky, Edward M. (Edward Maurice), 1937-

Edward Maurice Mezvinsky (born January 17, 1937) is an American politician and lawyer. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 1st congressional district from 1973 to 1977 and as chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1981 to 1986.

Born and raised in Ames, Iowa, he graduated from Ames High School there before earning a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa, a M.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1965. Mezvinsky returned briefly to Iowa to practice law, but quickly began a political career. In 1965, he worked for former Rep. Neal Smith in Washington on lobbyist disclosure and ethics bills. He was elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1968, where he attracted publicity as a consumers' advocate. He lost a 1970 campaign to unseat Republican Congressman Fred Schwengel in Iowa's 1st congressional district by only 765 votes (out of over 120,000 cast). After reapportionment improved his chances, Mezvinsky won a 1972 rematch. During his first term in Congress, he sat on the House Judiciary Committee and voted for the impeachment of President Richard Nixon for his activities in the Watergate scandal. Although Mezvinsky defeated Davenport businessman Jim Leach in 1974 in the immediate aftermath of the impeachment hearings, Leach defeated him two years later, in 1976.

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