State Rep. Bloom to run in redrawn congressional district

(Carlisle) — State Rep. Steve Bloom, R-Carlisle, announced on Monday that he will seek to represent Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District.

Bloom in September had announced his intention to seek the 11th District seat currently held by Republican Lou Barletta. The state Supreme Court has since redrawn the state’s congressional districts, and Bloom lives in the new 13th District. The state GOP has challenged the map in federal court.

“I’m running for Congress because I believe now more than ever Washington needs citizens who aren’t afraid of bold, decisive action and have a proven record of standing up to the status quo,” Bloom said. “I look forward to ensuring the voices and values of families in our communities across the 13th Congressional District are heard loud and clear in Washington.”

Candidates for Congress can circulate nominating petitions from Tuesday until March 20 so their names to appear on the May 15 Primary ballot. The petitions must indicate the congressional district seat which they seek.

Bloom, a conservative from North Middleton Township, Cumberland County, is the first candidate to re-announce his candidacy for Congress in the local region.

Six Republicans previously announced their intention to run for the 9th Congressional District seat, being vacated by Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Everett:

• Retired Col. Doug Mastriano of Fayetteville, Franklin County.
• Travis Schooley, an alpaca farmer and official with Quincy Township, Franklin County.
• State Sen. John Eichelberger Jr. of Hollidaysburg, Blair County.
• Art Halvorson, a retired Coast Guard captain and real estate entrepreneur from Manns Choice, Bedford County.
• Ben Hornberger, a political newcomer from Shippensburg, Cumberland County.
• Max Merrill, a farmer from Meyersdale, Somerset County.

The six live in the new 13th District – which includes all or parts of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. 

Three previously-announced candidates for the 9th reside in Indiana County, which has become part of the 15th District.

Bloom, a Dickinson School of Law graduate, was first elected to the state House in 2010.

“With a Republican president and workable Republican majorities in the House and Senate, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to move a strong conservative agenda forward for the American people,” Bloom said.  “And I bring the skills, experience and dedication necessary to make sure this opportunity isn’t wasted.”

Bloom said he has fought to hold the line against massive government tax and spending hikes, successfully eliminated the death tax on family farms and mom and pop shops, and removed bureaucratic barriers to self-reliance for low-income families trapped in dependency. He has held frequent town hall meetings, fulfilled his pledges to post live on social media all his votes on bills and to permanently refuse the lavish legislative pension.

Steve and Sharon Bloom are members of New Covenant Fellowship Church. They have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandsons.

For more information visit BloomforCongress.com.

This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Chambersburg Public Opinion.