Yudichak will not seek reelection to the Senate

WILKES-BARRE — State Sen. John Yudichak Thursday announced that he will not seek reelection to the state senate.

On Thursday morning, Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, spoke at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Red Carpet Breakfast.

Yudichak, 51, will have served in the state Legislature for 24 years — 12 years in the House and 12 years in the Senate when his current term ends on Nov. 30.

“Honored, blessed, and grateful are the first few words that come to mind as I reflect on my decision to not seek reelection to the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 2022 election cycle,” Yudichak said. “The good people of northeastern Pennsylvania have welcomed me into their homes and hearts over the last 24 years during my six terms in the House of Representatives and my three terms in the State Senate. Recognizing their kindness and support, I have always strived to match their generosity with unremitting passion and purpose in how I approached public service.”

Yudichak said the people of northeastern Pennsylvania have been his full and faithful partners in creating jobs, strengthening our communities, and creating a better quality of life in the region.

When Yudichak talked about his decision — which resulted after his 14th Senatorial District was moved to Lehigh County — he got emotional, thinking back 25 years when he prepared for his first campaign for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 119th Legislative District.

Over his 24-year tenure in public life, Yudichak said he has been inspired by the working families of northeastern Pennsylvania who go to work every day to provide a better life for their family and better days for their community.

“I have tried to match their work ethic and mirror their working-class values in every vote I made and in every project I pursued. For me, politics is the profession and people are the purpose,” he said.

“No family has inspired me more than my own,” Yudichak added. “My parents, Joe and the late Sally Yudichak, instilled in me and my siblings a sense of responsibility to family and community that will never leave me. I often pause during my day in Harrisburg to remind myself that my mother and father, like so many families in northeastern Pennsylvania, had to work by the sweat of their brow and the strength of their hands so I could have the privilege of serving in the state legislature.”

Yudichak said his parents and his aunt and uncle, Gene and Lois McKeown — Lois is his Godmother — were his first investors in his political career, being the first donors and his biggest supporter. His mom died in 2005 and Mrs. McKeown passed in 2021.

“My dad told me he was proud of my work and that I never forgot where I came from,” Yudichak said. “My dad always reminded me that my job was always about serving the people and not about politics. He said I was not elected to serve a party — I was there to serve the people and he told me I lived up to every expectation.”

Yudichak said he also thinks think about the core group of volunteers who helped to elect him.

“Those folks I call the original door-knockers, and I am humbled by their efforts and dedication to the cause of better government. It is a privilege of the highest honor to earn the people’s trust and to serve as their voice in the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” Yudichak said. “To the citizens of the 119th district in the House of Representatives and to those in the 14th district in the Senate, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.”

Improved local economy

“Most recently, the Governor’s Action Team reported that northeastern Pennsylvania was the number one region in Pennsylvania in both job creation and private investment — an accomplishment that is a testament to the aspirational spirit of the people of northeastern Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “Together, we have built strong bipartisan coalitions among diverse constituencies in government, business, and organized labor to construct new roads and bridges like the South Valley Parkway in Hanover Township and expansion of State Route 424 in Hazle Township.

Yudichak said these “critical public infrastructure investments” have attracted more than $1 billion in private investment and thousands of jobs to our region.

“We have also worked together to secure economic development projects, like the $6 billion Nacero manufacturing facility in Nanticoke and Newport Township, which is positioned to be the single largest economic development project in the history of Luzerne County,” he said.

‘Good history together’

“We have made good history together — a list of success stories that spans nearly three decades,” Yudichak said.

He cited several “success stories” over the course of his career:

• The Senior Citizen Full Benefits Act, the Sargent Sherwood Baker Act, the Waste Tire Recycling Act, the Moon Lake Park Act, Kevin’s Law, the Anti-Gang Law, the Local Manufacturing Tax Credit, the Coal Refuse Tax Credit, and the Computer Data Center Development Act.

• The mine reclamation work of the Earth Conservancy and the conservation of state forest lands in both Luzerne and Carbon Counties. And “educational success stories,” like the SHINE program in our public schools and the expansion of our region’s finest institutions of higher education.

• The work of the South Valley COG, the Mountain COG, the West Side COG, the Carbon County COG and the creation of the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department. Regional success stories like the creation of the NEPA Nursing Home SOS Program, the Regional COVID-19 Code Enforcement Partnership, the Luzerne County Small Business Loan Program, and the Luzerne County Public Infrastructure Program.

• The private sector stories that have made NEPA the number one job-creating region in all of Pennsylvania.

“Each of these legislative and community success stories are, in large part, the product of the hard work and dedication of my legislative staff who have honorably served the citizens of northeastern Pennsylvania and will always be a very special family to me,” Yudichak said.

Although he will not be seeking re-election to the senate, Yudichak said his heart will remain forever dedicated to serving the communities of northeastern Pennsylvania.

“I consider Sen. Lisa Baker, Sen. John Gordner, Sen. Dave Argall and Sen. Marty Flynn as friends, colleagues, and public servants of the highest quality,” he said. “I look forward to helping them and the region’s state legislative delegation to continue the great progress we have made in making northeastern Pennsylvania the best place to raise a family, get an education, and build a career.”

Yudichak then said, “Finally, I believe the time has come to better serve the most important people in my life — my daughters Sarah, Anna, Evelyn, and Grace. My daughters grew up in politics, and they have sacrificed a lot of time with their father over the years to the demands of public life. As my daughters embark on important milestones in their own lives, I plan to dedicate myself to supporting their endeavors and to enjoying every moment we share together as a family.”

Baker comments

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, issued a statement on Yudichak’s decision not to run.

“It is no secret that John Yudichak and I have a terrific working relationship, partnering to advance the interests of the families and communities in Luzerne County,” Baker said. “Our joint efforts have included fixing problems, advancing meaningful legislation, responding to emergencies, advocating for job creation, securing funding for community projects, and resisting the detrimental plans and actions of the Wolf Administration. This was true no matter which side of the aisle he was on, because John has focused more on delivering results than on making political points.”

Baker said as a legislator, Yudichak has been hardworking, full of ideas, and lives up to his word.

“He is a persistent battler, never a pushover,” Baker said. “His first question in looking at any issue is — ‘What about the workers?’ As a person, John honors his parents and is devoted to his family, which certainly are highly admirable qualities.”

Baker added, “He will leave public office with a considerable record of legislative advocacy, successful community projects, and exemplary constituent service. Wherever his professional path next leads, the people-oriented approach he uses will undoubtedly ensure his future success.”

Testimonials

Attorneys Neil and Cathy O’Donnell have supported Yudichak his entire career.

“No one has ever questioned his diligence and dedication to the job,” O’Donnell said. “Sen. Yudichak has been an advocate for economic development throughout his career in Harrisburg. He has always been for working Pennsylvanians. He has been a real independentt voice in the Senate and he will be missed.”

Tony Seiwell, Chairman of Laborers’ District Council of Eastern PA, said, “Our area was lucky to have such a dedicated leader in Sen. Yudichak. We have been honored to have him in labor’s corner.”