Incumbent state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey, has announced his
re-election bid for the 75th Legislative district seat.
The Kersey resident is currently serving his eighth term in that
role. Surra will face opposition from St. Marys resident and
businessman Todd “Booka” Hanes, who will appear on the Republican
ticket for the May 16 primary election.
Hanes has been endorsed by PA CleanSweep and could be joined by
St. Marys man Chuck Copello, who has not officially announced his
candidacy.
In his re-election announcement, Surra said he was honored to
represent the residents of Elk and Clearfield counties during his
tenure in Harrisburg.
“I pour my heart and soul into this job,” Surra said. “I fight
every day for the working people and small businesses of our area.
Many members go to Harrisburg and blend into the woodwork. I have
become a leader in the Legislature on issues that impact on the
every day lives of the people I represent.”
Surra currently serves on the Labor Relations, Education,
Environment and Energy, Game and Fish and House Democratic Policy
Committees. He said the key committee assignments allow him to be
influential on issues that are important to the region.
The lawmaker said he’s worked hard to expand the PACE program
for seniors, raise the minimum wage and obtain funding for local
communities, schools and factories.
Maintaining two district offices in St. Marys and DuBois, Surra
said “every day my staff and I cut through red tape and fight for
real people with real problems.” The two offices, according to
Surra, handle about 18,000 constituent problems a year.
“My supporters are energized and so am I,” Surra said. “I look
forward to the campaign and debate as to who not only has the
skills but who will best represent the interests of the good people
of the 75th district. I am proud of both what I stand for and who I
fight for.”
Prior to running for office, Surra was employed as a teacher in
the DuBois Area School District from 1976 to 1990. He graduated
from Elk County Christian High School in 1971 and attended Penn
State University, where he graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s
degree in industrial arts education.
Surra was the founder of Citizens Action for a Safe Environment,
which was a local citizens group dedicated to protecting Elk and
Clearfield counties from being targeted by the waste industry to
meet the rest of the country’s disposal needs. He was also the
co-founder of the Pennsylvania Environmental Network, which is a
statewide environmental organization committed to helping
communities deal with environmental issues.
He is a member of St. Boniface Church in Kersey and the Kersey
Knights of Columbus. Surra is also a life-long hunter and fisherman
and is active in local stock car racing.
The lawmaker is the son of the late Mario and Catherine Surra.
He is married to Victoria Lavella and have three sons, Dominic,
Andrew and Douglas.
Potential candidates seeking office will have until March 7 to
circulate and file their nomination petitions.
