KREAMER – State house member Fred Keller (R-85th, Kreamer) is now officially in the race for US Congress, hoping to replace former congressman Tom Marino. Keller Saturday said he is seeking the Republican nomination for the 12th district seat; he has formed a committee and hopes the GOP will select him as the nominee.
On January 23, Cong. Marino resigned so he could work in private industry and the seat is vacant. The Republican Party will select a nominee for the Spring Primary election May 15. Democrats will also select a nominee. Both parties have additional people interested in the nomination. Whoever is elected in the primary will fill Marino’s unexpired term.
The full text of Rep. Keller’s announcement:
State Rep. Fred Keller Announces Campaign for Congress
KREAMER, Pa. (Feb. 2, 2019) — Republican state Rep. Fred Keller today announced he is running
for a seat in the U.S. Congress, representing the 12th congressional district. Keller has
represented the citizens of Union and Snyder counties in the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives for the past nine years.
“My conservative record in Harrisburg, along with my business background, makes me wellsuited to represent the people of the district,” Keller said. “I have a proven record of working
hard to grow Pennsylvania’s economy and attract jobs, standing up for taxpayers, promoting
agriculture and tirelessly supporting local families and businesses. I’ll work just as hard in
Washington.”
Keller, 53, said that as a member of Congress, “I’ll work to secure our borders and promote
economic and tax policies that help families and small businesses. I’ll support our military and
promote a foreign policy that puts America first.”
He said that job training and ending the opioid crisis will be legislative priorities.
Keller said that as a congressman, “I’ll support President Trump and stand up to Nancy Pelosi
and the liberal Democrats in Congress who want to increase taxes and take our nation in the
wrong direction.”
Keller thanked Congressman Marino for his years of dedicated public service as our U.S.
representative, U.S. attorney and as a district attorney.
Keller, who is a full-time legislator, had a successful business career prior to being elected state
representative. He had a 25-year career at Conestoga Wood Specialties, where he rose to plant
operations manager at the company’s Beavertown facility, managing over 230 employees and a
$50 million annual budget. Additionally, he owned a successful small business managing
properties and serving as a general contractor.
PAID FOR BY FRED KELLER FOR CONGRESS
Keller has an unmatched work ethic, and he’s never missed a session day in Harrisburg. He has
led by example in government transparency by posting his personal and office expenses online.
Keller’s distinguished service in the state legislature has been recognized by the American
Conservative Union, Americans for Prosperity, the National Federation of Independent
Business, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Farm
Bureau.
Additionally, Keller is a lifetime member of the NRA and is staunchly pro-life.
Keller has been married to his wife, Kay, for 34 years. They have two adult children, Jamie and
Freddie, and two granddaughters. He has been a member of the First Reformed Church in
Sunbury for over 30 years and served as a deacon in the church.
