LEWISTOWN — John Zangari of Lewistown has announced his candidacy for state House of Representatives District 171. He is seeking the Democratic party nomination in the May primary election on Tuesday, May 19.
Zangari, a Democrat, has a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kutztown University and is currently employed at Penn State University as an administrative assistant in the Dept. of Sociology and Criminology. He also has a background in public service and small business.
Zangari lives in Lewistown with his wife, Vivian, who is also employed at Penn State.
If successful obtaining the Democratic nomination, Zangari will oppose State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, a Republican, in the November election.
He said his campaign is built around the needs of working families, small businesses, and residents who feel ignored by Harrisburg.
“I am running because Kerry Benninghoff has spent his 30 years in office saying the minimum wage doesn’t need raising. In those 30 years, inflation has climbed to a whopping 110% — meanwhile Kerry’s salary has increased by over 140%, while the minimum wage has only gone up by 52%,” Zangari said in a statement. “It’s long past time working people got a raise. If elected, I will work tirelessly to get that done.”
Zangari said he believes government should make life more affordable, operate with greater accountability, and be more accessible to the people it serves.
“People in our district are doing everything they can to keep up with rising costs, but they feel like they never can get ahead.” Zangari said. “I’m running to focus on the issues that matter most: affordability, accountability, and accessibility.”
Zangari says he is not a politician. “Frankly, I believe we need fewer politicians in Harrisburg and more everyday people who will advocate for their constituents, not their corporate donors. That is why I am running, to bring representation back to the people and away from the donor class.”
