While it isn’t clear yet who all may enter the race for the state senate seat to be vacated by the retirement of Joe Scarnati, one local politician has said he will not.
On Friday, state Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, told The Era, “I am not looking to run for the senate seat.”
Gabler has announced his plan to retire from political office at the end of 2020. Speculation has been voiced that the National Guardsman and young legislator — at only 36 years of age — would be a shoe-in for the senate seat.
While he had announced his retirement from the legislature before Scarnati did, Gabler said the senator’s decision doesn’t change his mind.
“I’m looking forward to being a private citizen,” he said with a laugh. “The family and I made a decision it was time to do something different.”
With that said, though, he doesn’t plan on taking it easy for the remainder of his term.
“I’m going to sprint to the finish line,” Gabler said.
In his announcement about not seeking re-election, Gabler said, “I am still working to complete a number of proposals on behalf of my constituents, including legislation currently in the Senate to keep our students safe as they travel to school, and a bill containing my amendment to expand the State Fire Commissioner’s grant program for fire and EMS Companies. “Additionally, I continue to collaborate with State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego on another proposal to make volunteer firefighter training more user-friendly and more readily accessible to those who wish to serve.”
He discussed the state budget process as well.
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to the important work in front of me to ensure that the 2020-21 state budget is a responsible plan on behalf of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers,” the representative said. “I am proud of my track record in holding the line on taxes and keeping Pennsylvania competitive, and I pledge to keep that work front and center until my last day in the General Assembly.”
To date, candidates who have announced in some form their intent to seek the senate seat include Democrat Margie Brown of St. Marys, and Republicans Dr. James M. Brown of Brockway, state Rep. Cris Dush of Brookville, and John “Herm” Suplizio, the city manager of DuBois.
State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, also said he does not intend to seek the office, saying he hopes to stay in the state House, where he has seniority and plans to keep working for rural Pennsylvania.
