After serving in Harrisburg since 2015, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has decided that he will not stand for re-election in the 120th Legislative District in 2024.

“I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve our community over the past 10 years,” Kaufer said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to get done and the relationships I have built with community members and elected officials throughout our area to achieve tangible and meaningful results for our community. When I started this journey, I knocked on over 18,000 doors throughout two different elections cycles and spoke with thousands of people across our community. Those are the people I fought for, day in and day out, and I think the results speak for themselves.”

Among the efforts Kaufer highlighted as the most important of his tenure were: the removal of the Swoyersville Culm Bank; the formation of the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department and the transfer of the former Wyoming State Police Barracks to serve as the department’s headquarters; regionalization efforts through the West Side Council of Governments; generational investments in regional sewer infrastructure; the rehabilitation efforts in Keiper, Center Street, Kirby and Riverbend Parks; and the reopening of the former First Hospital as Wyoming Valley Behavioral Hospital.

“As State Representative, I always strived to provide reform-focused leadership that would restore the public’s trust in state government,” Kaufer said. “Although I was not always successful, I refused to back down because my top priority was always the families I served. Being named the ‘most frugal legislator’ was an honor I will always cherish since it truly demonstrated the respect I have for the hard-working taxpayers I represent here at home.”

His announcement brought kudos from both sides of the aisle.

“Aaron was a leader for northeast Pennsylvania and our caucus on jobs and innovation that will serve us well into the future,” said Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster). “More importantly he was a great friend and ally in the House whose insights will be missed.”

“Aaron has always understood the significance of what it means to govern,” said Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery). “He was always willing to come to the table to make difficult decisions but was always very clear about where he stood and would never compromise his principles. His voice as a commonsense consensus builder will be missed in Harrisburg.”

“I ran for office to put people over politics and to lead by example,” Kaufer said. “I have fought to honor that pledge by holding the line on taxes, bringing meaningful reforms to Pennsylvania’s Legislature, and returning the focus of state government back to serving the residents of our great Commonwealth. Throughout my tenure, I have worked hard to be part of the solution and improve the lives of my constituents.

Three Republican hopefuls have put their name forward as candidates to replace Kaufer in the Luzerne County seat. Luzerne County councilwoman Lee Ann McDermott, Dallas School Board member Patrick Musto, and Brenda Pugh, CEO of AMP Global Strategies in Shavertown and Luzerne County Fair chairwoman.

Kaufer will serve the remainder of his term, which expires November 30, 2024.

“At this point of my life, I need to step away to focus on what’s most important in my life: my family. However, public service is my calling, so I’m not saying this is it for me forever, but this is all for now.”