Heffley easily wins fifth term as state rep

Republican Doyle Heffley was elected Tuesday to serve his fifth term as state representative.

“It’s very humbling to put your name on the ballot and be elected. Going into my fifth term, it’s extremely humbling,” he said Tuesday night following a party with volunteers and supporters.

Heffley easily beat his Democratic opponent, Kara Scott, to take his fifth two-year term serving the 122nd District, which includes all of Carbon County except Summit Hill. He garnered 14,033 votes to defeat Scott, Bowmanstown Borough Council president, who had 6,853 votes. Votes are unofficial until they are certified later this week.

Heffley partied with supporters at the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company Tuesday night as they watched the returns from national races.

Joined by his wife, Kellie, he was quick to credit volunteers and supporters for helping to make this campaign successful. He said they will be what he remembers about the campaign.

“Just to have so many folks come out for hours in the rain to hand out our literature, and stand at the polls,” he said.

Carbon County Republican Committee Chairman Ed Becker said Heffley knocked on thousands of doors around the 122nd District.

Heffley said that among his key priorities for his fifth term are continuing to push for property tax reform in the state. While it will be more difficult with Gov. Tom Wolf’s re-election, He said he hopes that legislators can convince the governor to negotiate on the issue.

“In Carbon County people are really concerned about property taxes and getting the governor to come to the table and work with us, to address the issue of property taxes,” he said.

Supporters like Dale Lauer would be in favor of that. Lauer attended Heffley’s party and said he supports him because of the property tax issue, and because he has a relationship with voters in Carbon County.

“Doyle will come and walk around my neighborhood and listen to people. He’s been to my house multiple times. I like that,” he said.

Will Doll was one of the volunteers who stood out on Tuesday to campaign for Heffley. He said he’s an easy sell as a candidate.

“You couldn’t find a nicer guy. He works for the people,” Doll said.

With the two statewide races going to Democrats but other key wins for Republicans, there was no clear red or blue wave in Pennsylvania.

Heffley said after his race was finalized, he was watching the results of other state house races with interest.

“We want to know who we are working with. We are hopeful we can build a team of folks who want to work on the priorities of folks here in Carbon County,” he said.