Republican John L. Kennedy Announces Bid for PA House of Representatives Seat

Middlesex Township, PA – Republican John L. Kennedy today announces his intention to seek election for the PA House of Representatives seat serving either District 8 or District 12, as determined by the final PA Congressional redistricting map. John is the son of former Butler County Commissioner James L. Kennedy and grandson of the late former Congressman H. Francis Kennedy.

The newly drawn 8th District includes municipalities in Butler County and Lawrence County.

Municipalities in Lawrence County include the townships of Little Beaver, Perry, Plain Grove, Scott, Slippery Rock, Washington, and Wayne; and the boroughs of Ellport, Ellwood City (Lawrence County portion), Enon Valley, New Beaver, Volant, and Wampum. In Butler County, the townships of Brady, Center, Clay, Connoquenessing, Forward, Franklin, Lancaster, Middlesex, Muddycreek, Penn, and Worth; and the boroughs of Connoquenessing Portersville, Prospect, West Liberty, and West Sunbury.

John, 49, is a resident of Middlesex Township, which is in southern Butler County. Middlesex Township has become a “wild card” in the ongoing redistricting map debate, being proposed to District 8 in some versions and to District 12 in others. The courts are to make the final determination in the coming weeks.

“Today, more than ever before, our community needs strong, consistent, and proven conservative voices in leadership roles,” said John L. Kennedy. “For generations, my family has proudly stood up and spoken up to promote Republican principles. By any measure, I am ‘raised right’, and conservatism is my core. I intend to bring my demonstrated commitment to rock-solid conservative values to Harrisburg and to honor the legacy of my family, my community, and this great country.”

John is a life-long resident of Penn and Middlesex Townships and is a farmer and small business owner, owning and operating an upland bird hunting preserve for nearly 30 years and a retail meats market co-op for more than 20 years.

In addition to running his successful businesses, John currently serves on the Mars Area School Board and is in his third year as Board President. During his 11 years of school board service, he also has been active with the Mars Planet Foundation, the Butler County Vo-Tech, and various other committee assignments. The Mars Area School District (Mars ASD) is one of the highest performing school districts in western Pennsylvania and is widely respected for its fiscal approach that balances student achievement and respect for taxpayers. Mars ASD recently added “promoting patriotism” as a core educational value in a revised school policy adopted under John’s leadership.

Also, John is active in Youth 4-H programs and was a Future Farmers of America (FFA) member and competitor, raising state and national champion livestock. He mentors inner-city youth and commits time to foster care and adoption causes. John is a pro-life candidate and, as an avid hunter, is a fierce Second Amendment advocate. He supports medical freedom and is against government mandates. John also is committed to environmental stewardship through land preservation and stands in support of local natural fossil fuel resources.

John is husband to Valarie (Balchunas) for 25 years and father of three young adults (college graduate, Jacob; college student, Taylor; high school student, Mayson) who share his work ethic; passion for service; and are sports, music, and competitive dance enthusiasts. John celebrates his strong faith with family affiliations at Holy Sepulcher Parish and Mars Presbyterian Church. He is proud to support his immediate family members who served in two branches of the US military, were affiliated with the PA State Troopers Association and Fraternal Order of Police, were members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and who served in mental health crisis and advocacy roles.

To learn more about John L. Kennedy, please visit his website at KennedyForHouse.com.