A third person has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for
the 75th Legislative district seat in the state House of
Representatives.

LeRoy Kopp of St. Marys, a student at Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, has announced his candidacy for the post currently
held by incumbent state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey.

Kopp will appear on the Democratic ticket for the May 16 primary
election.

In addition to Surra, who announced his re-election bid earlier
this week, the duo will officially be joined by St. Marys resident
Todd “Booka” Hanes, who will appear on the Republican ballot and
has been endorsed by PA CleanSweep. Another potential candidate,
Chuck Copello of St. Marys, has been rumored to be interested, but
has not officially announced his candidacy.

“I feel I can do a good job for the people of the area,” Kopp
told The Era while discussing his candidacy. “I want to give people
a choice to vote for and help our workers out.”

In his first time running for political office, Kopp said while
he will appear on the Democratic ticket, he doesn’t consider
himself a staunch member of the party.

“I hold a wide range of political ideals, ranging from those
considered to be Democratic to those considered Republican,” Kopp
said, adding he also prefers some ideals typically associated with
the Green, Reform and other minority parties.

Kopp said he “strongly favors protecting and fighting for
working class citizens and their rights to more favorable working
conditions.”

The 22-year-old also said he’s in favor of “reducing wasteful
government spending.”

“I am also an avid environmentalist who casts aside the commonly
held notion that working for a healthier environment will impede
business, and instead embrace the view that ultimately a healthier
environment will help to create and sustain business,” Kopp
said.

Meanwhile, hitting at the middle-of-the-night pay raises that
lawmakers approved last year, Kopp said he wanted to work to
“re-establish trust in our government by electing ethical
officials, dedicated to fiscal responsibility and political
accountability.”

“Overall, the best way I like to describe my political attitudes
is by describing myself as a freedom advocate who seeks to prevent
the government from unjustifiably stripping citizens of their
freedom,” Kopp said. “It is due time that the citizens of
Pennsylvania stand up for their rights and not allow the government
to abuse its power.

“I am only a common man, but if given the chance, my mission
will be to stand up for freedom, and represent the citizens of
Pennsylvania the way an elected official should: with integrity and
a sense of responsibility to serve the people as best they can.

“The public service from an elected official should not be
performed within the mindset of being superior to the people they
represent, but as being equal to them,” Kopp said.

The candidate is also concerned about the health care local
residents receive, noting “there are so many people that don’t have
it anymore or can’t afford it. It’s so expensive for them.
Something has go to give and I want to give people a chance.”

Kopp said he plans to graduate in May with a bachelor of science
degree in environmental biology. He is employed part-time at the
Protective Fraternal League and the Catholic Men’s Fraternal Club,
both of St. Marys.

He is the son of Daniel and Linda Kopp of St. Marys.

Potential candidates seeking office have until March 7 to
circulate and file their nomination petitions.