John L. Kennedy

John L. Kennedy, a farmer, small business owner and Mars Area school director from Middlesex Township, is running for the Republican Party nomination to represent the 12th or 8th district in the state House of Representatives.

He is running to replace state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, who is not running for reelection after representing the district since 1999.

The district he would represent depends on the new district map that will be selected by the state Supreme Court. He said Middlesex Township has become a “wild card” in the ongoing redistricting map debate, being placed in District 8 in some versions and in District 12 in others.

Kennedy, 49, is a farmer, owner of an upland bird hunting preserve for nearly 30 years, and owner of a retail meat market co-op for more than 20 years. He serves on the Mars Area School Board and is in his third year as president of the board.

He is the son of former Butler County Commissioner James L. Kennedy and grandson of the late former Congressman H. Francis Kennedy.

“I always had a passion for community service,” Kennedy said.

He has served on the school board for 11 years, and his current term expires in 2023. He said two of his children have graduated from Mars Area and his youngest will graduate in 2024.

“It’s time for me to do something different for our community,” Kennedy said.

If elected, he said he will represent the district with the conservative values he was raised with.

“Today, more than ever before, our community needs strong, consistent and proven conservative voices in leadership roles,” Kennedy said. “For generations, my family has proudly stood up and spoken up to promote Republican principles. By any measure, I am ‘raised right,’ and conservatism is my core. I intend to bring my demonstrated commitment to rock-solid conservative values to Harrisburg and to honor the legacy of my family, my community and this great country.”

During his time as a school board member, he said he has been active with the Mars Planet Foundation, the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School and other committee assignments.

Kennedy also is active in 4-H programs and was a Future Farmers of America member and competitor, raising state and national champion livestock. He mentors inner-city youth and commits time to foster care and adoption causes.

He said he is a pro-life candidate and, as an avid hunter, is an advocate of the Second Amendment. He supports freedom of choice about COVID-19 vaccinations and face mask wearing, and is against government mandates. He also is committed to environmental stewardship through land preservation and stands in support of local natural fossil fuel resources.

He has been married to his wife, Valarie Balchunas, for 25 years and is the father of three young adults. He and his family attend Holy Sepulcher Parish and Mars Presbyterian Church.

Kennedy owns Four Seasons Game Bird Farm in Valencia and JL Kennedy Meat Stand in Pittsburgh.