Kelly will seek 2nd term as lawmaker
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler announced Friday that he will file petitions to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“After some time of reflection with my family and supporters, I have decided to seek re-election as a representative in Congress,” Kelly said in a statement.
He said that during his time in Congress, the House has passed measures that will increase job growth, reduce the federal deficit and eliminate federally-funded earmark projects. However, he said more needs to be done, including reforming the legislative process and reducing the size of the federal government.
“It’s time to stop government from stifling the American spirit of entrepreneurship,” Kelly said. “It is painfully obvious that we can’t continue down the vicious cycle of incurring debt to support misguided programs and then exacerbate the problem by throwing more of the taxpayer’s good money after bad.”
Kelly will run unopposed in the April 24 Republican primary election.
Kelly, who owns the Mike Kelly Auto dealership in Penn Township, is in his first term, having been elected in 2010 after defeating incumbent Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper.
Three Democrats have declared their candidacies for the primary election: Missa Eaton of Sharon, Mercer County; George Schroeck of Rockdale Township, Crawford County, and Mel Marin of Erie.
The general election is Nov. 6.
The 3rd District covers all of Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties, as well as parts of Clarion, Crawford, Erie and Lawrence counties.
