Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

KINGSTON — Wyoming Valley native Aaron Kaufer shed his freshman status as a state representative, having secured a second two-year term in the 120th District.

According to unofficial results, Republican incumbent Kaufer received 16,192 votes, defeating Democratic challenger Bob McDonald, who received 7,680 votes.

“The results show that working with people, grassroots efforts and bipartisan cooperation makes a difference,” Kaufer said.

Kaufer, 28, celebrated the unofficial win with family and friends at the Pierce Street Deli in Kingston Tuesday night. A Wyoming Valley West alumnus, Kaufer was first elected in 2014, replacing retiring state Rep. Phyllis Mundy.

“This win is for the people,” he said.

McDonald, 58, was watching election results at his office on Third Avenue in Kingston with a group of supporters.

“Congratulations to Rep. Kaufer,” he said. “I hope he can live up to his renewed sense of bipartisan cooperation.”

Kaufer will take a few days off to recover from a cold but will get right back to work to establish a plan to address the region’s heroin and opioid addiction problems, welfare reform and to “keep fighting on the issue of property taxes.”

“We need to get something done about property taxes,” he said.

Kaufer has proven his commitment to bipartisan cooperation, he said, by working with legislators in both the Senate and House of Representatives to eliminate property taxes through the homestead exemption.

According to the proposed legislation, homeowners who live in their primary residences will not be required to pay property taxes.

McDonald did not agree with Kaufer’s move to eliminate property taxes as a viable solution for homeowners.

Instead, the Kingston resident suggests the state find other sources of revenue, such as establishing a severance tax on companies extracting natural gas, closing the “Delaware loophole” that allows Pennsylvania businesses to incorporate in Delaware, a tax-free state, to avoid paying Commonwealth taxes.

Kaufer also introduced legislation to facilitate treatment programs for opioid addicts.

McDonald has a similar point of view on the issue of opioid addiction, noting treatment instead of incarceration is a better alternative.

“It was a great experience,” McDonald said, not discounting the possibility of trying again for a seat in the state House of Representatives. “I met a lot of great people.”

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) delivers a victory speech to his supporters while standing beside his mother, Larinda, and his father, Neil, at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110916House1201-1.jpg.optimal.jpgState Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) delivers a victory speech to his supporters while standing beside his mother, Larinda, and his father, Neil, at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) greets his mother, Larinda, at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston before election results begin flowing.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110916House1203-1.jpg.optimal.jpgState Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) greets his mother, Larinda, at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston before election results begin flowing. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) stands behind his mother, Larinda, as he checks the computer for results with Ryan Pipan, left, Lisa Deangelo and Matthew Mitchell at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston Tuesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110916House1202-1.jpg.optimal.jpgState Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120th) stands behind his mother, Larinda, as he checks the computer for results with Ryan Pipan, left, Lisa Deangelo and Matthew Mitchell at Pierce Street Deli in Kingston Tuesday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Eileen Godin

[email protected]

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.