In a Tuesday press release, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16) announced his intention to run for an eighth term in Congress.

“I have fought hard for the people and values of Western Pennsylvania, and I am asking for their support for another term. Together we have accomplished so much – and I would like the opportunity to continue to bring our values to Washington, D.C. while bringing our taxpayer dollars back home,” said Kelly.

Kelly, who was first elected in 2010, defeated challenger Dan Pastore by 19 points in the 2022 election cycle. He presently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Subcommittee on Tax Policy and the Subcommittee on Health.

“I’ve always said it’s not about me – it’s about the people of this district. Each person represents a piece of what makes our country so great and every day I wake up, excited to go to work to represent them,” Kelly continued.

In his reelection campaign video (below), Kelly says that another reason he is running is he’s “tired of a big government that’s grown way too big and uses way too much of our money. And not just our money, but our future generation. My belief is that we can restore American greatness but it’s up to us to get government out of the way.

“I always thought I should be taking Western Pennsylvania’s great values to Washington and not the other way around,” he continued. “We do not need Washington telling us how to live our lives.”

The 16th congressional district comprises Butler, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence and Mercer County, along with parts of Venango County, including the city of Franklin.

Prior to entering Congress, Kelly served on the Butler City Council and sat on the boards of several local and civic organizations, including the Housing Authority of Butler County, the Redevelopment Authority of Butler County, and the Moraine Trails Council of Boys Scouts of America.

He and his wife, Victoria, have four children and are the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren.