Gibbons set to run for 6th term in House
ELLWOOD CITY — State Rep. Jaret Gibbons will seek a sixth term in the Pennsylvania House, where he represents the 10th District.
Gibbons, in an e-mail release, called himself a “blue dog Democrat” who has always put voters before politics.
The 10th District covers Slippery Rock and Slippery Rock Township in Butler County and portions of Beaver and Lawrence counties.
“We cannot continue to increase the tax burden on Pennsylvania working families and job creators,” said Gibbons, noting he voted against a 2013 gasoline tax increase as well as Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed income tax hike.
Gibbons said he wants government to focus on job creation and restoring funding for public education as well as reforming itself and revitalizing downtown communities.
“We have seen real progress in the 10th District, but I recognize state government needs to focus more on growing the middle class by creating jobs and adequately funding our schools,” Gibbons said.
He also wants to work with the state’s Fish and Boat Commission and sportsman’s clubs to restore the Hereford Manor Dam, calling it “a vital tourist attraction and excellent public resource that must be rebuilt.”
Gibbons said his support of economic development — securing nearly $2 million for revitalization, construction and redevelopment projects — shows that he is a “common sense leader” who understands how to cross party lines and get things done.
He also called himself a “proven government reformer” who has voted to reduce the size of the Legislature, and he sponsored a bill giving whistle-blowers protection.
“Government needs to work for people, but that can only happen when people have trust in their representatives,” Gibbons said.
He will run in the April 26 primary for the Democratic nomination for the 10th District.
He is expected to have a Republican opponent in the November election because Aaron Bernstine of New Beaver is running in the GOP primary for the 10th District seat.
Gibbons, an attorney who graduated from Duquesne University and the University Of Pittsburgh Law School, is an Ellwood City native and lives in Franklin Township, Beaver County, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children.
He was first elected to the 10th District seat in 2006.
