Jeff Steele

A Slippery Rock man with longstanding community ties has announced his bid for the district judge seat.

“I'm unique in the fact that these are my people,” said candidate Jeff Steele, 48. “This is my district. This is my area. I'm in tune with this area, the demographic and the families.”

Steele, a federal account manager for Carahsoft Technologies, serves the borough as a member of its planning commission and Civil Service Commission. He previously served two terms on the Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation board of directors.

“The Steele family name is synonymous with public service in Slippery Rock as well as the county,” Steele said. “I have a multigenerational understanding of the demographics and people of this district that most don't.”

Steele's father, Ron Steele, has been a public servant for more than 65 years, is a borough councilman and a firefighter with the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire District. Steele's grandfather also was a firefighter with the department.

“I spent much of my childhood in the hallways of (the fire department) as well as the borough and campus police stations,” Steele said. “Although I did not pursue a career in law enforcement or firefighting, they are careers that I envy and respect immensely.”

Outside of public service, Steele serves as an officer for the Slippery Rock Youth Baseball Association and Rock Basketball Youth Development. He helped to organize and incorporate the latter of the two.

Steele said he takes great pride in building up his community.

“It's near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I'm such a believer in relationships, and that's one of the reasons I'd be good at this.”

The current district judge, William O'Donnell, did not seek reelection, opening the six-year seat that serves the boroughs of Slippery Rock, Portersville, Prospect, West Liberty and Harrisville as well as the townships of Slippery Rock, Worth, Brady, Franklin, Mercer and Muddy Creek.

Steele said if elected, he would bring a steady presence to the seat, which includes a district encompassing Slippery Rock University and the rural communities around it.

“I would collaborate with every agency I can to give the people of this district a fair chance,” Steele said. “I just hope that the people that know me support me, and the people that don't know me will give me a chance.”