Millheim Borough Councilman Robert Zeigler Announces Campaign for State Senate 34th District Seat

A Penns Valley Democrat announced on Tuesday that he plans to run for the state Senate seat that has been held by Republican Jake Corman for the past 22 years.

Millheim Borough Council President Robert Zeigler will seek the Democratic nomination for the 34th District in 2022.

Zeigler was appointed to borough council in August 2018 and won election to office in 2019.

“Although I have been involved in governing at a local level since August of 2018 when I was appointed, I have always held an interest in working with and for the community,” Zeigler said in a statement. “Thinking outside of the box and being driven to finding solutions to help better my community is something I have done for a few years. The same thoughts that worked 30 years ago don’t work now and that has to be recognized. Just like everyone else, I want to help give my kids a better tomorrow.”

Corman, now the Senate’s top-ranking Republican as president pro-tempore, was first elected 1999. He succeeded his father, J. Doyle Corman, who represented the 34th District for two decades.

Jake Corman won a sixth term in 2018, taking 56% of the vote in the district that includes all of Centre, Juniata and Mifflin counties and part of Huntingdon County. For the first time, however, the Benner Township resident did not win his home county, with Democratic challenger Ezra Nanes earning 52.58% of the vote in Centre.

For Zeigler, it will be his first run at a state office.

“Unlike some elected leaders who appear to inherit their positions, I believe it’s best to earn such a role and I think I have the opportunity to continue to do that at a higher level,” Zeigler said. “Leaders need to lead and not be afraid to be committed to the work, as I intend to be. I look forward to helping service the many local communities and not just the one I reside in.”

Zeigler said he is sometimes called a “practical progressive,” because of his desire to implement progressive policies without increasing costs to citizens, but that he views himself simply as a public servant.

“I believe that the commonality we all have, wanting to create a better community for our kids and our neighbor’s kids, will help us move forward as a society,” he said. “I think we all generally agree we need to reimagine some things, reinvest in our society, and renew what we stand for. Although we may disagree on the exact methods, I hope you will be ready to work with me for a better tomorrow.”