Steven Dershem announced on Wednesday that he will run for another term on the Centre County Board of Commissioners.
A Bellefonte resident and Centre County native, Dershem will be seeking a Republican nomination in the May primary as he campaigns for his fifth term on the three-member board.
‘I have worked to keep all of our county part of our growing prosperity,’ Dershem said. ‘From providing resources to our rural areas for water and sewer projects to working with our larger boroughs and townships to expand services for seniors and many of our most vulnerable residents.’
Dershem was first elected commissioner in 2003 and and during his third term served as chair of the board.
He said he is proud to work alongside county staff and row officers in providing services to residents and addressing the challenges facing local government with professionalism.
Dershem also noted his work to make Centre County safer and financially sound.
‘From supporting first responders to battling the heroin/opioid overdose crisis, I have been hands on keeping our county safer for our families,’ he said. ‘I have been a watchdog of our county budget with no county property tax increase for nine straight years. No other candidate can make that claim.’
He said he is optimistic about the county’s future.
‘I will continue to work in cooperation with state, federal and local governments, nonprofit organizations and individual citizens to provide the best quality services to our residents,’ Dershem said. ‘I would be honored to continue to serve the people of Centre County.’
All three Board of Commissioners seats are up for election this year. Democratic incumbents Mark Higgins and Michael Pipe also announced their re-election campaign earlier this week.
The primary election is May 21. The first day to circulate and file nomination petitions is Feb. 19.
