Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe/Northampton) has announced he is retiring because of unexpected health reasons and is supporting longtime State Rep. Rosemary Brown announced she will seek the Republican nomination for the newly drawn 40th senate district.

Scavello said, “Due to some unexpected health reasons, I feel it is in the best interests of myself and the public to complete my career in public service. While it has been my honor and opportunity to serve the people for over 20 years and at many levels, the time has come for me to spend more time with my wife and family. I can’t think of a better Republican candidate to serve in this position than Rosemary Brown. She will bring to the Senate proven effectiveness at fighting for our families and I support her 100%.”

Brown said, “When one door closes, another opens. While this was not planned, Sen. Scavello’s sudden retirement announcement ignited my desire to apply my experience and proven ability at a larger level. The opportunity to help even more of my neighbors and our community within the northeast is one that I cannot ignore.”

She had previously announced she would not seek re-election for the State House seat she held for 12 years.

Brown is well-known in the region as a tireless advocate for the people she serves and someone who approaches issues with a pragmatic eye and a focus on achieving common-sense, conservative results. During her tenure in the House, Brown has focused on issues vital to our region of the state as well as issues that affect the full Commonwealth.

“The people of northeastern Pennsylvania deserve a proven and effective voice standing up for them in Harrisburg, fighting the overreach in state government, communicating strongly to them, and making sure their issues are always at the forefront. That is what I will continue to do if elected as their senator,” Brown said.

Brown said she plans to continue to work on her many initiatives and her campaign will focus on a few key issues: providing greater opportunity to working families by promoting job and economic growth; continuing the fight for further property tax relief and, ultimately, elimination; improving the state’s education system to better prepare children for success; supporting law enforcement to provide for the public’s safety; ensuring election integrity across the state; and, preserving the Constitutional Rights of all Pennsylvanians.

Brown would bring to the Senate a proven record of effectiveness in public service as well as a background in the private sector gained through her work in the retail and pharmaceutical industries. In her words, even more importantly, she is a working mom, taxpayer and homeowner with the shared life’s experiences that are vital to representing the concerns of residents across the 40th District.

Brown, 51, has lived in Monroe County since she was 5, graduated from East Stroudsburg High School and the University of Scranton, and has a strong understanding of the northeast.

She and her husband, Joe, are the proud parents of three children, two who currently attend the public school system and one who is in college. They live in East Stroudsburg.