Two more candidates enter House race for 82nd District
A Mifflin County School Board member and a history teacher from Juniata County have joined the crowded GOP field in a race to represent the 82nd District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Since Rep. C. Adam Harris, R-Mifflintown, announced he would not seek re-election, five Republicans have thrown their hats in the ring.
The latest announcements come from Beth Laughlin, a six-year member of the Mifflin County School Board, and Terrance M. Shepler, an East Waterford man who has taught for seven years in the Susquenita School District.
The district includes St. Thomas, and Fannett and Metal townships in Franklin County as well as all of Juniata County and parts of Mifflin County. Candidates must file nominating petitions by March 20. Candidates can begin circulating petitions on Tuesday. The primary is May 15.
More:John Hershey is third GOP candidate for 82nd District seat in Pa. House
The three other candidates seeking the GOP nomination are James S. Junkin, a 55-year-old Franklin County farmer; Josh Fultz, a 32-year-old Realtor from Juniata County; and John Hershey, a 24-year-old aide to U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent from Juniata County.
No Democrats have announced.
Beth Laughlin
Laughlin, an active partner with her husband and son on their Ferguson Valley farm, has been a member of the Mifflin County School Board for six years.
“I have always felt a deep commitment to this community and believe in the future of this district,” she said. “We have yet to tap our full potential for growth, while striving diligently to maintain the identities of our individual communities. We need a representative who can support that growth, provide assistance as needed to help with that progress and be present to hear and respond to the concerns of the residents of the district.”
Laughlin, 56, describes herself as a fiscal conservative who is optimistic about the future of the legislative district.
She has bachelor's degrees from Penn State, where she had a double major in forest science and forest products. She has been a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau since her marriage 33 years ago. The couple has four children. She is a past chairman of the State Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. She is a member of the Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is a district store training manager for the store she manages in Burnham.
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She has served as a 4-H leader, Penn State master gardener, chairwoman of the Mifflin County Dairy Princess Committee for 10 years, member of the Victory Park Restoration Committee and on the Farm/City committee. She has attended several young cooperator conferences.
“I know this district,” Laughlin said. “I live and work in this district. I am growing a business in this district. I am building a future for my children and my grandchildren in this district. I would love to serve as your District 82 representative. I will work tirelessly to support and help provide opportunities to develop the good paying jobs this area needs.”
She stressed that her background in agriculture, other businesses and her years spent on the school board and its Academy Operating Committee on vocational education have helped prepare her.
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“I am very pleased with the changes and growth being shown at the academy,” she said. “We have developed several new programs including a Mechatronics program, and we will be starting our CDL (commercial driver’s license) program this spring. We have been working with local industry and are in the process of furthering our adult education offerings.”
She has also served on the school board’s transportation, curriculum and information technology committees.
Terry Shepler
Shepler of East Waterford said his knowledge as a teacher of history and government has prepared him to represent the people of the 82nd District. His experience as a published author of scholarly work also will allow him to craft legislation to benefit the district, he said.
“Driving through much of this district daily, I am reminded of the rich history agriculture has played here,” he said, “and I want nothing more than to preserve this for future generations.”
Shepler, 32, said that as a teacher he realizes the importance of a good education and will continue to fight for students to prepare them for the future.
Shepler said he strongly believes in protection of Second Amendment rights for all citizens.
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Shepler is the son of Mark and Dr. Mary Lou Mortimer of East Waterford and a son-in-law of Norman and Barbara Book of Port Royal. He and his wife, Rachel, who is a native of Juniata County, have lived in East Waterford for eight years.
“Over the past eight years, this district has continued to amaze me,” Shepler said. “The values of the people, the beauty of the landscape, and the simplicity of life are qualities that I promise to fight for in Harrisburg, while working hard to prepare our district for the future.”
Shepler graduated from Cedar Cliff High School in 2003 and Millersville University in 2007 with a bachelor of science degree in history education. He also holds a master of science in education from Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. His teaching career started in the Harrisburg City School District, where he taught for three years.
Shepler attends Port Royal United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Grange and the National Rifle Association. He is an Eagle Scout. He has been an assistant coach for Juniata High School track and field for three years.
“Working with the youth of Juniata County and meeting their families has given me a greater understanding of the wants of the citizens in the 82nd District,” Shepler said. “This, coupled with my educational background, I believe would allow me to fight for the needs of this district in this day and age.”
Jim Hook, 717-262-4759