Gordon Marburger believes that the residents of the 12th State House District are ready for a new representative.

Two years ago, 2,731 Republicans wrote in Marburger’s name in the primary. He came 540 votes short of incumbent Daryl Metcalfe, who was the only Republican listed on the ballot.

On April 26 Marburger’s name will appear on the GOP ballot, and he hopes to add to that previous tally.

“I do expect those again,” he said. “I do believe they will still be in our corner.”

And he added there should be a larger turnout this time because of the presidential race.

Marburger of Adams Township said he agrees with Metcalfe’s stances on a number of issues. He is against raising taxes and says state government needs to make cuts, including reducing the number of state representatives.

“Along with that we need to cut the staff that goes along with those representatives. In this day and age of technology, one person can do way more. It’s not nice to be cutting jobs, but you’ve got to look at it as a business,” he said.

He added that he agrees with the state Department of Transportation’s recent move to eliminate license plate stickers, a change that will save the state an estimated $3 million per year. He also supports reforming municipal and school pensions, moving from a defined pension for employees to a defined contribution plan.

“They keep talking about ‘we’re going to get $200 million to education,’ well you’re going to take $300 million back in pension payments. If you can figure out a way to solve the pension problem, you have now put money back into the schools,” he said.

He supports getting rid of per diem pay for legislators, a system by which they receive a set amount of money to cover expenses during stays in Harrisburg. If elected, he would submit his actual expenses.

“When you’re self-employed, you really have to watch your expenses,” he said.

One area where he differs from Metcalfe is in his view of a state representative’s responsibilities.

While Metcalfe has said his job is to make laws and not to be the “mayor of the 12th District,” Marburger said he would lobby state agencies such as PennDOT on the behalf of his constituents.

“You need to be there with your local officials talking to PennDOT, so they know you’ve got your local backing from your representative,” he said.

Projects he supports in the district include getting state funding for a new Adams Area Fire District hall, making improvements to the intersection of Route 8 and Denny Road in Middlesex Township and widening of Route 228 through Adams and Middlesex townships.

With regard to the Legislature’s battles with Gov. Tom Wolf over the state budget, Marburger said he has experience with negotiations and compromising as a school board member. Though he said the governor “has his feet stuck in the sand,” he said he thinks he can work with Democrats in the House.

“Party affiliation should not matter in situations like this. After it gets beyond three or four months, right then and there it should have never left Harrisburg until it was done.”

He opposes Wolf’s proposal to institute a 5 percent severance tax on natural gas, but would support legislation prohibiting natural gas companies from deducting expenses from royalty checks.

As a gas leaseholder, he would get more money, but that change would stimulate the economy by putting more money in landowners’ pockets, he said.

As far as environmental concerns, he said the gas industry has enough controls and regulations.

Regarding specific legislation, Marburger opposes raising the minimum wage, and he is neutral on the issue of medical marijuana.

He said he would be in favor of a proposal to give redistricting duties to an independent citizen’s commission.

Marburger is a self-employed farmer and also works for A.J. Myers & Sons. His wife, Diane Marburger, is the Butler County treasurer.

He has been a member of the Mars School Board for more than 10 years, and he also is on the Butler County Community College board of trustees.

His 2014 campaign ran into a roadblock when two voters successfully challenged his candidacy. In May of that year, the state Supreme Court ordered his name off the ballot because of his failure to file a financial interest statement form with the state Ethics Commission.

The 12th District covers Adams, Clinton, Cranberry, Forward, Middlesex and Penn townships as well as Callery, Mars, Seven Fields and Valencia.

The winner of Republican nomination will face Democratic candidate Christian Rieger of Cranberry Township, who is running unopposed.