BELLEFONTE — State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, a Republican, recently announced he will be seeking re-election to represent the 171st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
During his time in the House of Representatives, Benninghoff has delivered for the people of Centre and Mifflin counties by fighting to control state spending, opposing broad-based tax increases, investing in students, voting to advance pro-life legislation, fighting for Second Amendment rights, empowering families, and ensuring constituents receive the state services they need and deserve.
“It is an honor of my lifetime to serve the people of Centre and Mifflin counties in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Benninghoff said. “I want to continue to be an advocate for our community and the values we hold dear.”
Benninghoff has been elected to several significant leadership positions by his peers and is known for his level-headed, voice of reason approach. Currently serving as the Republican Chair of the Transportation Committee, he has guided several consumer friendly and safety transportation bills into law. He also serves on the Gaming Oversight Committee and continues to chair the Bi-partisan Cancer Caucus he originated 15 years ago.
Benninghoff, an adoptee, was the author of landmark legislation that gives children born in Pennsylvania and subsequently placed for adoption the ability to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate. Benninghoff also authored legislation that did away with an arcane area of state law that essentially re-victimized rape victims by requiring them to find a surrogate family for a subsequent child before they could sever the parental rights of the rapist.
Benninghoff continues to be a strong advocate for smaller government and controlling government spending to lower taxes on Pennsylvanians. He also believes Pennsylvania should be leading the country in lowering energy costs through the smart and safe utilization of the tremendous abundance of natural gas and petroleum under our feet. Not only will it help lower energy costs, it will also create thousands of great family-sustaining jobs for our current and future workers.
Benninghoff will continue his efforts to oversee the completion of the U.S. Route 322 road construction project and impact the two prison closures will have our communities. On the prison closures, he believes that there is no rush to make haste decisions and is advocating for smart, thoughtfully planned land use, balanced with considerations to our agricultural and
sportsmen communities.
“The foundation of our form of government requires us to put people first, to truly listen to and
respond to the needs of those we represent. I have been honored to carry the voice of our
unique community to the halls of government in Harrisburg and would be honored to be able to continue to serve my friends, neighbors, and colleagues.”
Benninghoff is active in the Bellefonte Borough community, which is always dear to his heart. He is the founding member and active participant in a number of local non-profit and charity organizations, including Leadership Centre County. He is an active member of the Bellefonte Kiwanis Club and supports law enforcement through membership in the Fraternal Order of Police, Bald Eagle Lodge No. 51. As a man of faith, Benninghoff is a long-time member of Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte.
Benninghoff graduated from State College Area High School, later attending Pennsylvania State University. He received advanced training in the Certified Coroners Training Program conducted in Hershey by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Benninghoff resides in Bellefonte and is the father of five children — Michael, Heather, Amy, Kelley and Ryleigh as well as a growing brood of grandchildren.
