St. Marys resident and businessman Todd “Booka” Hanes has
announced his candidacy for the 75th Legislative district seat
currently held by incumbent state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey.
Hanes, 38, who will appear on the Republican ticket for the May
16 primary election and has been endorsed by PA CleanSweep, could
be joined on the ballot by St. Marys man Chuck Copello, who has not
officially announced his candidacy.
The duo have gained the support of Elk County’s GOP leaders,
according to Chairwoman Robin Calabria.
Surra has held the seat since 1990 and has experienced
opposition in past elections from David Meier of St. Marys. Surra
has not officially announced he is seeking re-election to the post,
which covers all of Elk County and parts of northern Clearfield
County.
According to Hanes, a novice on the political front, the
controversial pay raise legislators gave themselves in the middle
of the night last year helped spur his campaign to run for
office.
“I want to bring a common sense business approach to government
and put it back in the hands of the people,” Hanes said Monday.
“I’ve never been real political, but I have run my own business for
14 years and think I can take the talents I’ve learned here and
apply it to government.”
Hanes owns The Station Inn of St. Marys. He said in a press
release that each day in his restaurant he comes face to face with
people of all ages who are facing devastating social and economic
problems.
“I have met with families trying to hold their heads above water
after a job loss,” Hanes said. “Families who can’t afford health
care and senior citizens being forced to choose between their
medications or paying their utilities. People are looking for real
help from their elected leaders and I think I can offer some
solutions.”
Hanes said the best way to help companies create good jobs is to
cut spending, reduce taxes and get health care costs under control.
He also favors shrinking the size of state government.
“We’ve got to stop the avalanche of spending in Harrisburg if we
are ever going to remove the enormous tax burden from the backs of
taxpayers,” Hanes said. “And, absolutely no more sneaky, midnight
pay raises. Taxpayers ought to know what’s coming up before a vote
takes place.”
When asked Monday for specifics in regards to his platform,
Hanes said he needs to first research the issues ongoing in
Harrisburg before commenting further.
However, as a member of the National Rifle Association and
supporter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Hanes said if
he’s elected “I will push the Game Commission to change deer
hunting regulations. I think most sportsmen would agree, we are
experiencing a severe thinning of the deer population under current
rules.”
Hanes said going against an incumbent will be a tall order, but
“any political race is significant.”
“I think people are ready for a change,” Hanes said. “I believe
that on the statewide level and particularly in Elk County.”
Unlike most of the region that is heavily Republican, Elk County
tends to lean toward Democrats in elections.
There was no immediate word of anybody else attempting a run on
the Democratic ticket this spring.
Hanes is engaged to marry Valerie North of DuBois. She has three
boys. Hanes is a sustaining member of the St. Marys Elks Club and
has been involved with the Bavarian Festival and the St. Marys
Retail Association, now the Chamber of Commerce.
Potential candidates seeking office will begin to circulate and
file their nomination petitions today through March 7.
