2020 primary election: Leshko announces candidacy for 123rd Legislative District

John Leshko, former mayor of Middleport, formally announces his candidacy for state representative in the 123rd District.

Leshko, 40, is a project manager for a Fortune 500 company, where he is currently working on the company’s “Next Generation” store initiative. He is the son of Linda Leshko of Millersburg and the late John C. Leshko of Minersville.

Leshko is a 1997 graduate of Minersville Area High School and a 2002 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. After graduation, he made it a point to come back to Schuylkill County, where he found a successful and rewarding career in retail management.

As a champion of change in his professional position, Leshko has successfully created a new brand for his employer. Leshko has served his community as the borough’s mayor in 2011, when he filled a vacated seat and again after winning the 2013 and 2017 general elections.

As mayor, he was proud to work with a council which values the youth of the community and brought police service to an underserved community.

He is a longtime supporter of Scouts of America (formally BSA) and holds the rank of Eagle Scout.

When asked what makes him the right fit for office, Leshko said, “If you believe your voice matters, as much as I do, then make the choice to vote for change. Not for a politician, but for a taxpayer, a parent, a concerned citizen. It’s time we agree that local politics is not about parties, it’s not about how much money you have, or who your friends are. It’s about the future, jobs, and taxes that aren’t coming back from Harrisburg. It’s about drug addiction, underserviced demographics, and frankly, human decency.”

John resides in Middleport with his wife, Amanda, and their four children, Avery, Johnny, Cameron and Reese. He attends Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in New Philadelphia.