Representative Jerry Knowles Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

State Representative Jerry Knowles (R-124) announced Thursday he would not seek re-election in 2022 but will serve out the remainder of his term focused on protecting taxpayers, helping local businesses create jobs, and supporting common sense legislation that protects our Constitutional freedoms.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent our communities in Harrisburg,” Knowles said. “It’s very humbling to have earned the trust of so many across a lifetime of service. But my wife Lorraine and I know it’s time to pass the torch to someone else.”

For Knowles, he says public service was a lifetime commitment.

Early in his career he served as a Tamaqua police officer as well as a volunteer firefighter. He was an elected Borough Councilman, Mayor, and County Commissioner before being elected in a 2009 special election to fill the seat vacated by Senator Dave Argall.

“How many people who love community service have been able to do so much in a lifetime,” Knowles said. “I continue to be humbled by the support of so many over the years. I couldn’t have done as much without so many wonderful friends and neighbors, many of whom turned into supporters, donors and advisors through the years.

“There is absolutely no way I could have helped as many people as I’ve been blessed to without the outstanding members of my staff. They are some of the most hardworking people I know. They work tirelessly to guide those we serve through the layers of state government finding answers to their questions and solutions to their challenges.”

As a former owner of a small local grocery store, his focus was always on protecting taxpayers, cutting wasteful spending, and helping small businesses grow to create jobs without being held back by burdensome government regulations.

During his time in Harrisburg, Knowles helped defeat a 16% personal income tax hike, cut more than $1 billion in wasteful spending from the state budget, and voted against a $2.1 billion gas tax.

Knowles was particularly focused on trying to eliminate the state’s onerous property tax that hurt retirees and homeowners. He voted to fund local schools at record levels in Harrisburg to reduce the burden on property owners while helping direct more money to classrooms to help students.

Ardently pro-life and pro-2nd Amendment, Knowles is a strong supporter of local law enforcement and opposes any effort to defund our police.

Come 2023, Knowles says he is looking forward to spending more time with Lorraine, his wife of 48 years, and his sons and grandchildren. He hopes they are all looking forward to spending more time with him too!

“When you look back over a career in public service, you hope you made a difference for the next generation,” Knowles said. “There’s more work to be done this year, but I sincerely hope the America my grandchildren, and the America your children and grandchildren, inherit is even better than the one we call home today.”