Longtime Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10 that he will be running for re-election. Here is his complete campaign announcement:
State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today announced his intention to run for re-election to the Pennsylvania state Senate this year, pledging to continue working on behalf of the residents of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.
“I was elected to protect and promote the interests that are important to the people of our region,” Sen. Yaw said. “I travel to every part of our district keeping an ear to the ground and understanding the issues that matter most to residents. I work for the people of our district, not the Harrisburg bureaucracy or special interests.”
Senator Yaw is a recipient of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Award for his voting record in support of small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. In 2023, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA), the leading conservative grassroots organization fighting for lower taxes and limited government in the state, recognized Senator Yaw for his legislative voting record. Additionally, Senator Yaw has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health for his work to address the heroin epidemic plaguing the Commonwealth.
Senator Yaw serves as Chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he supported and advocated for legislation and funding to make our schools safer. He is also a member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Banking and Insurance, Community, Economic & Recreational Development, Rules and Executive Nominations and Senate Majority Policy Committees.
Through his work on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, he has steadfastly fought against government mandates and executive orders, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which would have drastically increased electric bills for area consumers. He has held several hearings highlighting the challenges facing our electric grid, and the impacts a reduction in thermal generation will have on the economic outlook for Pennsylvania and area households.
Senator Yaw has fought to preserve the natural gas Impact Fee, which annually brings tens of millions of dollars to our counties and municipalities. He also prime sponsored the Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE), which is designed to increase the availability and accessibility of locally produced natural gas to area businesses, public buildings, hospitals and residences.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Senator Yaw sponsored bills, which became part of the ‘Farming First Package,’ designed to ensure that Pennsylvania agriculture remains competitive and profitable. He prime sponsored legislation, included in the 2022-23 state budget, establishing the landmark Pennsylvania Clean Streams Fund, which directed record investments to address the top sources of pollution to local rivers and streams. He also prime sponsored Pennsylvania’s new Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), aimed at assisting farmers implement conservation measures to protect their property and local water resources.
Yaw has been a strong advocate for residents living in rural Pennsylvania and presently chairs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors. The Center is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the General Assembly. Through the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Senator Yaw has worked cooperatively with Democrats to address rural broadband issues and has held hearings across Pennsylvania to break down silos related to broadband access.
He has worked to combat the state’s heroin and opioid epidemic by being at the forefront of the prescription drug monitoring program, limiting opioid prescriptions to minors, targeting drug dealers, supporting Medication Assisted Treatment and improving access to health services to save lives. He continues to work with fellow Board members to address the stagnation of Pennsylvania’s population and decline of population, especially in rural Pennsylvania. He sits on several other Boards and Commissions, including as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Delegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body that advises the legislative branch of state government to identify critical environmental needs, evaluate public concerns, and ensure state and Federal actions to sustain the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay. He is a member of the Environmental Quality Board, a member of the Pennsylvania Aggregate Advisory Board and a member of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.
An active and effective state Senator, Gene Yaw has successfully secured state funding for countless local projects and initiatives within the 23rd district that include downtown and streetscape improvements, parks and recreation, sewer and water, transportation infrastructure, healthcare and senior housing. He has also vigorously supported the appointments of local residents to state boards and commissions, including the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Fish and Boat Commission, the Milk Marketing Board, Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University and Mansfield University.
In recent years, he has been the recipient of the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America, the Lycoming College Alumni of the Year Award, the CAPPA Community Partner Award, the Central Pennsylvania State of Israel Bonds Israel Unity Award, the Pennsylvania Winery Association Industry Supporter Award, the Pennsylvania College of Technology Centennial Leadership Award, and the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association Public Official of the Year Award. He has also received recognition from the Bradford County Veterans Memorial Park Association for his work to ensure that the national heritage of our local men and women who have served in our armed forces will forever be remembered. Additionally, he has been recognized by Lycoming College, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Choose Clean Water Coalition for his work to promote clean water and the Eastern Hellbender as the official ‘State Amphibian.”
Prior to running for the Senate, Yaw served as Lycoming County solicitor for 17 years and was named County Solicitor of the Year in 2004. He has also served as general counsel to the Pennsylvania College of Technology for more than 20 years and now serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of that institution.
Yaw graduated from Montoursville High School, attended Bucknell University, and earned degrees from Lycoming College and the American University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Senator Yaw is a United States Army veteran. He is a Life Member of the VFW and an Endowed Life Member of the NRA. He is also a member of the American Legion, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited and the Nittany Lion Club.
A lifelong Lycoming County resident, Yaw is married to Ann S. Pepperman, Esq. He has two children, Scott and Mackenzie, and three grandchildren, Samantha, Sydney and Mason.
