14th seat vote is uncontested
Though state Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14th, is running for re-election unopposed this year, he is seeking votes from different residents than in the past.
As of Dec. 1 the district will change boundaries. It will take on several Butler County municipalities that were previously a part of the 8th District: Zelienople, Harmony, Evans City, Jackson Township and Lancaster Township.
Marshall said he and state Sen. Elder Vogel, whose district includes the same municipalities, have talked about sharing a satellite office somewhere in the county.
“I look forward to serving Butler County residents along with Sen. Vogel, our maps align in Butler County,” Marshall said.
A native of Big Beaver, Beaver County, Marshall said he has spent time in Butler County and attended Harmony Zelienople Chamber of Commerce events this year to meet people and get to know the area better.
Despite the seat being uncontested, Marshall said he encourages every resident to vote and to participate in government. The work he does in the state Legislature is entirely motivated by feedback from residents of the district, he said.
“The offices of state representative and state senators are similar to township supervisor and borough council. It’s an office where citizens can go and speak directly to their representative and expect results,” he said.
Marshall said in the upcoming term he plans to introduce a bill that would ban nonprofit organizations that are funded by taxpayer money. He also plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit political campaigns from calling numbers listed on the Pennsylvania Do Not Call List, which currently have an exclusion.
In his current seat since 2007, Marshall has recently served on the House transportation, commerce, veterans affairs, emergency preparedness, environmental resources and energy committees.
