Dane Watro, R-McAdoo, has announced his candidacy for the 116th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District.

Watro, a lifelong Republican, said, “Our state and country are at a crossroads and will require good people of courage, principle, and conviction to represent us. That is why I am running for the 116th District.” Watro cited that it is crucial to defend Pennsylvania through legislation on education, economic growth, infrastructure, immigration, reduction in crime and many other important issues we face here in Pennsylvania. Watro said, “we must all stand behind our police and give them the proper funding and training.”

After graduating from Hazleton Area High School in 1995, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Watro was stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and later at Fort Hood, Texas.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Watro served as a drill sergeant at a juvenile placement facility for youth under the judicial system and later as a Case Manager for Youth Services Agency, based out of the Keystone Job Corps. He oversaw the educational and vocational training of at-risk youth, coordinating with the Pennsylvania court system. Today, Watro acts as an Attendance-Truancy Officer for the Hazleton Area School District, and member of the Hazleton Area Education Association.

Watro re-enlisted when Operation Iraqi Freedom began and served until March 2005. During his tour, Watro was selected by the FBI to be a part of the American unit guarding Saddam Hussein. Watro received commendations from the FBI for his part in combating international terrorism.

Watro was McAdoo mayor for eight years, completing his service this past December.

Watro is the president of the Schuylkill County Concerned Citizens, a member of the VFW, the local Lions Club, and AMVETS. He is Vice Chairman of the Kline Township Municipal Authority and serves on the Uniform Construction Code appeals board for the Borough of McAdoo. He is a former board member of the United Charities Inc. of Hazleton United Children’s Home and served as chairman of the McAdoo Borough Civil Service Commission.

Watro, wife Angela and two children are members of All Saints Church in McAdoo.