Takac announces official campaign for state representative

LEMONT — College Township Councilmember Paul Takac officially launched his campaign to run for the 171st state house district on Sept. 12 during an outdoor community event at the Lemont Village Green.

Takac, a Democrat, looks to win the seat held by Republican House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff.

The 171st District includes parts of Centre and Mifflin counties. In Centre County, the district represents Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim boroughs and College (partial), Ferguson (partial), Gregg, Harris, Penn, Potter, Spring and Walker townships.

Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Rush Township); Jessica O’Hara, political director for the Centre County Democratic Committee; and Pamela Robb, vice-chair of the Patton Township Board of Supervisors, all spoke on behalf of Takac.

Conklin welcomed guests, reminding supporters about the power of grassroots organizing and the importance of fair representation.

O’Hara highlighted the optimism of Takac and his campaign in contrast to the current political climate, and she called on supporters to stay positive as the race progresses. She said, “We’ve had enough of cynicism › the cynicism of our politics, and certainly the cynicism of Kerry Benninghoff.”

Robb shared the words she associated with Takac as “trustworthy, integrity, knowledgeable, dedicated, courageous, hardworking, patient, generous, compassionate, helpful, decision-maker.” He then expressed excitement about sending a representative to Harrisburg with those qualities.

In his speech to guests, Takac said, “We are at a crucial crossroads in this country, this commonwealth, and in our communities. The political extremism and attacks on our democratic institutions and elections … have deep roots here in Pennsylvania, and in the actions of our current representatives, Kerry Benninghoff and Jake Corman. We have also reached a crossroads regarding the kind of future we want for our children, our grandchildren, and our communities. It’s the same story over and over across countless issues — a lack of funding, a lack of access, and often a simple lack of compassion. We can and must do better.”

Takac said he will champion good governance, environmental and economic leadership, and investments in infrastructure — from supplying proper broadband access to every individual, school and business, to increasing accessibility to comprehensive health care, to rebuilding physical infrastructure in rural communities.

Takac is a longtime resident of Centre County, where he has lived with his wife and three children. In addition to serving on the College Township Council, he serves on the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and Centre Region Public Safety Committee. He has worked in educational technology sales for almost three decades.