ST. MARYS – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-75) received official notification from the U.S. Department of Defense on Jan. 10, 2018, authorizing him to be able to run for re-election while deployed overseas as a captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Gabler’s campaign team – comprised of his family, friends and supporters across every municipality of the 75th district – said that they will be running an aggressive re-election campaign during his deployment, which began Jan. 11.
“While we would all rather that Matt was safely here at home with his family and friends, the tremendous outpouring of support he and the campaign have received from the people of the 75th District shows his record is one the community supports,” said Jason Ercole, a spokesman for the campaign.
“We are thankful that so many people have already stepped forward to volunteer for the campaign, including Matt’s fellow House members, local elected officials, community leaders and residents.”
Ercole continued. “While Matt will be part of our nation’s Army working overseas for our country, he will have his own ‘campaign army’ at home working for him.”
Gabler is known as one of Pennsylvania’s strongest voices in the effort to bring fiscal discipline to government and protect taxpayers. As representative, he authored historic legislation that will actually reduce debt for future generations.
He also was a leader in the successful fight to stop Gov. Tom Wolf’s disastrous income and sales tax increase proposals that would have cost local families and seniors more while sending the mass of new money to Philadelphia.
Gabler also supported vital public pension reforms that will save taxpayers billions of dollars while still preserving the pension promise made to current and future enrollees in the public pension system.
In addition to his efforts toward fiscal discipline, Gabler has focused on job creation and preserving the benefits the 75th District has seen from natural gas drilling, particularly the impact fee he helped pass that has brought hundreds of millions of dollars into communities affected by natural gas exploration.
In Harrisburg, he has fought diligently against any effort that would replace the Impact Fee with a severance tax that would send money away from affected communities like those in the 75th District.
Gabler also successfully fought for initiatives that have helped local industries like timber and coal.
Gabler has also worked to make sure that the state focuses on local priorities, especially education.
Even while helping block the Governor’s tax increases, he has supported record state funding for basic education. Gabler also supported efforts that help move the focus away from standardized testing and more toward learning for students.
Gabler is recognized here at home for his efforts to help local residents through strong constituent services, and by working with local leaders, groups and residents to address local issues.
One example is his work with local groups to successfully reclaim the polluted Bennett Branch stream. Thanks to this group effort, this waterway now supports a thriving trout population, and they continue to work to help gain public access to the stream.
Prior to his deployment, Gabler took steps to ensure continued, seamless operations of his district and Harrisburg offices to ensure that local residents will receive the help they have become accustomed to in addressing issues with state government.
Gabler’s colleagues in the House will continue to push forward his legislative initiatives and local community issues.
“Representative Gabler has built a proven record of results by focusing on doing what’s right instead of playing politics. That’s a record we will be communicating to voters in the coming months,” said Ercole.
“We think the people of the 75th District will react as favorably to Matt’s work in this election as they have in the past so he can continue his hard work for them upon his return from military service.”
Gabler and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of a one-year-old daughter, Caroline. Pro-life and pro-Second Amendment, he has consistently received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association during his tenure as representative.
