SOMERSET — Fresh off a narrow loss in last year’s race for Somerset County commissioner, John Ferko is setting his sights on the state Legislature.
On Friday, Ferko became the third Republican in what is becoming a crowded field to replace retiring state Rep. Bob Bastian, R-Somerset.
It has been a whirlwind political year for the 39-year-old respiratory therapist from Shanksville. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Ferko defeated veteran Commissioner Brad Cober for one of two party nominations in the primary, then almost ousted Commissioner Jimmy Marker.
“Sometimes things happen for a reason,” Ferko said. “Maybe there was a reason I didn’t win the commissioners’ race. Maybe this was why.”
The 69th Legislative District covers the southern two-thirds of the county – where Ferko received strong support – and a portion of western Bedford County.
“I did much better south of Route 30 than north of 30,” he said. “You have to look where your strength is, and use it to your advantage.”
A lifelong county resident, Ferko has been a Stonycreek Township auditor and member of the Shanksville-Stonycreek school board. He currently is a Republican committeeman in the township.
Ferko said he would fight against increased gun-control regulations and gay marriage.
He also said little has been done in Harrisburg to make Pennsylvania more attractive to businesses.
Eliminating property taxes would be a priority.
“Not necessarily reform, but elimination,” he said. “That’s been talked about for awhile, and it needs to be continued.”
Ferko said he would push for the completion of a four-lane Route 219 from Somerset to Interstate 68 in Maryland.
“We need to develop a good rapport with the Department of Transportation,” he said. “If it isn’t done now, it’s not going to be completed.”
Ferko is a member of the Somerset County and Pennsylvania farm bureaus, and is president of the Somerset County Extension Office board. He said he backs farmland preservation against development pressure and measures to help dairy farmers compete against foreign imports.
Ferko, respiratory staff supervisor for Mosso’s Medical Supply in Somerset, is married to the former Lisa Lohr and has three children: Tanner, 9; Kaitlyn, 6; and Emma, 1. The family resides in Shanksville.
Mike Brendle, a Lincoln Township businessman, and Ed Sroka, a construction company owner from Bakersville, are the other two Republican candidates to announce so far. Ken Warnick of Meyersdale, director of student services at Alleghany College of Maryland, and Meyersdale Area English teacher Stephen Smerbeck are running on the Democratic ticket.
Politics
Related Photos
-
File Photo
Discussion
3rd Republican seeking 69th district seat
- Politics
-
-
Corbett to lose top aide, sources say
Gov. Tom Corbett’s top aide apparently is leaving the job as the first-term Republican battles criticism over his cost-cutting agenda and his ability to wage political battles.
-
Romney: Obama focused on 'character assassination'
The Nebraska billionaire who considered a plan to resurrect incendiary comments by President Barack Obama's former pastor shelved the idea Thursday after Obama and Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney denounced the tactic.
-
Corbett taps retired general to steer Pa. capital
Gov. Tom Corbett on Friday nominated a retired Air Force general who helped run the American reconstruction effort in Iraq to take the financial reins of Pennsylvania's debt-choked capital of Harrisburg after his first appointee called for an investigation into the city's debt and abruptly resigned.
-
Mitt Romney's 'hijinks' seen as bullying today
When Mitt Romney was a good-looking teen in the buttoned-up '60s, corporal punishment was the norm and bullying had a different, more acceptable name: hijinks.
-
Judge refuses to dismiss John Edwards charges
A federal judge refused to throw out campaign corruption charges against John Edwards on Friday, meaning the former presidential hopeful will have to present his case to a jury.
-
GOP gets set to start up Pa. presidential campaign
With the primary battle essentially over, the Republican Party is preparing to fire up a presidential campaign in Pennsylvania about a year behind President Barack Obama in a vote-rich state that both sides say they can win.
-
Romney denies targeting classmates for being gay
Mitt Romney apologized Thursday for "stupid" high school pranks that may have gone too far and moved quickly to stamp out any notion that he bullied schoolmates because they were gay. His swift response reflected the Republican presidential candidate's recognition that his record on gay rights is under heightened scrutiny following President Barack Obama's embrace of gay marriage.
-
Video: Obama endorses same-sex marriage
A day after an amendment banning gay marriage passed in North Carolina, President Barack Obama tells ABC News that he believes same-sex couples should be able to get married.
-
Corbett to describe 'vision' for economic growth
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is slated to discuss his state budget plan and his vision for economic growth in a speech to a business group.
-
Sen. Orie to resign, according to court motion
Republican state Sen. Jane Orie intends to resign by the time she’s scheduled to be sentenced on campaign corruption and forgery charges later this month, according to a motion her attorney filed asking the court to delay the sentencing hearing for two months.
- More Politics Headlines
-
Corbett to lose top aide, sources say
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
