Twardzik, a Republican, from Butler Township near Frackville, made the announcement at a rally at the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society on South Jardin Street, in Shenandoah, with about 100 people in attendance.
Included in the attendees was Senator Dave Argall and Representative Jerry Knowles along with family, friends, and Republican supporters.
Senator Argall, who spoke about Twardzik and introduced him, said "Some of you have worked with him after creating job after job after job here in Schuylkill County and Shenandoah and there is no more important issue than in job creation.".
"After leaving this area and having so many opportunities, he decided to come back here", Argall noted on Twardzik who is a Notre Dame graduate.
"That was so important, not just in growing the family business, but in working with other entrepreneurs, other businesses, with his roles in the chamber and the manufacturers and SEDCO and the hospital board, and again, and again." added Argall.
Argall finalized his remarks with a quote that was in the Republican Herald from Twardzik, "My parents raised me to work hard, to be respectful, and to try and help everyone you can. This is the next step in that journey".
Twardzik then took the stage and thanked Senator Argall for his kind words and service.
Twardzik stood before his supporters with his wife Carol and son's Adam, Eric, and Ryan to make his announcement official.
"Our roots are here, they have been here for generations, we fly the flags of our ancestors in parades, we keep the recipes and traditions alive every holiday. We have last names that trace back to Ellis Island and we follow the paths of rugged first and second generation American's who stake there claim to build a better life right here. This the place that gave us our values, around us are churches where we took our first steps of faith, it's where we learned that life wasn't just about us. It was about service, it was about giving our lives to something bigger than ourselves. This is the place where people like my father hung up the apron, left the mine, and turned the farm over to a neighbor to enlist and serve every time the country asked."
Twardzik also recognized his father-in-law Bernie Keefer who earned three purple hearts for fighting in the Battle of Normandy and still returned to Frackville to raise his family.
He said recognized how he learned of volunteerism and public service through the area's fire departments, social clubs, veteran's organization, bowling leagues, community choirs, and scout troops. "This is where we learn to be a participant and not a bystander" said Twardzik.
Twardzik also said he learned from his father "Work, hard work, work done with special pride and excellence was worth every hardship and sacrifice. He taught me no one was better or more important than a new hire. Whether you mopped the floor, or ran the shop, it didn't matter, you deserved to support your family and raise a family"
"Tonight, I stand before you as Ted and Jean's grateful son, with so many people including my brothers and their families who gave our family the great honor of introducing the rest of America to the pierogie, to announce that I am a candidate to the State Representative in the 123rd District" finished Twardzik.
Twardzik will be running for a seat in the House of Representatives, that is currently held by retiring Representative Neal Goodman, that has been primarily held by Democrats for decades.
After the rally, attendees ate Shenandoah's traditional favorites of pierogies and kielbasi with music provided by Pee Wee Damiter.
The 123rd District covers, Ashland, Blythe Township, Branch Township, Butler Township, Cass Township, Delano Township, East Norwegian Township, Foster Township, Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville, Gordon, Mahanoy City, Mahanoy Township, Mechanicsville, Middleport, Minersville, Mount Carbon, New Castle Township, New Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Port Carbon, parts of Pottsville, Reilly Township, Ryan Township, Shenandoah, St. Clair, and West Mahanoy Township.
Story/Photos/Video by Jay Skook
