Schroeder announces bid for county commissioner's race

Former full-time Lebanon Valley College teacher and activist Michael Schroeder announced a run at a county commissioner seat on the Democratic ticket for the 2023 municipal elections.

During a press conference at the Lebanon County Democratic Committee headquarters Wednesday, Schroeder said he wanted to bring a fresh voice and fresh leadership to the county commissioners office, "which is much needed in these increasingly challenging and difficult times."

Citing the county's comprehensive plan at several points, Schroeder stressed the need for updating the document going forward to help manage growth in the county.

"I think I bring to the table the kinds of skills, attributes and mindsets that we need in order to do just that," he said. "To facilitate dialogue, conversation and the productive exchange of ideas in order to solve the very real and very pressing problems and challenges addressing us today here in Lebanon County."

A professor emeritus of history at Lebanon Valley College, Schroeder retired from his full-time teaching job last year. A founding board member and secretary of the Lebanon County Branch of the NAACP, Schroeder also serves as the president of the Friends of Old Annville and the Quittapahilla Watershed Association.

Schroeder was a Democratic nominee in a 2020 special election to fill the seat of former state Sen. Mike Folmer, who resigned after being arrested on child pornography charges. Schroeder lost that special election to the late-state Sen. David Arnold. The seat is now currently filled by Republican Sen. Christopher Gebhard.

Schroeder said his main issues include responsible growth, farmland preservation and watershed protection, affordable living and criminal justice and public safety reform.

"I think that when good paying, family supporting jobs exist, that people move in," he said. "I think it's a matter of job training, and getting people to be equipped for the skills they need for the jobs that are out there."

Democratic commissioner and incumbent Jo Ellen Litz announced in January that she will seek re-election this year.

More:Litz to seek sixth consecutive four-year term as county commissioner

Schroeder will not partner his campaign with Litz's, saying that given the political makeup of the county, he thinks it's likely that when elections are over there will still be two Republicans and one Democrat holding commissioner seats.

"I respect her, I think she's done a generally good job, but I want to sort of talk about my attributes and what I can bring to the table," he said. "So I'm not planning on teaming up. That may be in the cards if she and I talk about it, but at this point I'm planning on just running and promoting my own candidacy for the seat."

When asked about term limits for the commissioners office, Schroeder said in general it was a good idea but added he hasn't thought much about the issue.

"It's kind of a mixed bag, kind of a plus minus, because on the one hand you gain all kinds of experience as a county commissioner, and it's a shame to sort of dispense with all that practical real life experience," he said. "On the other hand, I think it's also really healthy to have fresh blood, fresh perspectives, new voices, so I would actually be in favor of it."

Moving forward, his campaign will include door knocking and social media to get voters to the polls. Schroeder's mission for more dialogue and communication would be a focal point of trying to get voters to support him.

"I think it's a matter of getting out, meeting the people, talking to people, listening to their concerns and trying to get a handle on what these major concerns are and then addressing those," he said. "It's a matter of listening to people and talking to folks is probably the main strategy."

Republican commissioners Robert Phillips and Mike Kuhn are also seeking re-election this year. Phillips is running a joint campaign with Swatara Township supervisor Bill Bering Jr.

Election 2023:Lebanon County commissioners: Phillips, Kuhn seek re-election; Bering enters race

2023 Lebanon County Elections

The Pennsylvania Municipal Primary is scheduled for May 16. The last day to register to vote is May 1. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 9.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Michael Schroeder announces bid for 2023 county commissioner's race