Gearing announces candidacy for 51st Legislative District
In front of family and friends, Democrat Gary Gearing, of Uniontown, officially announced Thursday that he would again throw his hat into the political ring for a chance to win the seat of state representative for the 51st Legislative District.
A lifelong resident of the district, Gearing began his political life in 2004 when he ran against state Rep. Larry Roberts. Although he did not win the election that year, he has not been deterred him from seeking the same position in 2006.
"The culture of our district and county comes from the many diversified backgrounds of the immigrants who settled here and the centuries of traditions they brought with them," Gearing said. "Our history, resources and culture are the strong foundation we must utilize as we expand and support our existing businesses and grow the new economies needed for the future of our district and county."
Committed to the PA CleanSweep Pledge, Gearing said the people want and deserve good government.
"The people of the 51st District deserve a campaign where ideas and philosophies are openly debated," Gearing said. "The people of the 51st District have had enough of petty politics. I am making this announcement today so that (they) will have a strong choice for state representative.
"I welcome any and all opportunity to engage in public debates in whatever forum or venue available throughout the district so that the issues important to the people can be brought forward and discussed openly and thoroughly," he added.
Born in Uniontown in 1956 to Joseph and Shirley Gearing, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy for three years and then graduated from West Virginia University in 1980 with a business degree. In 1993, he attended the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University's Entrepreneurial Management Program. He worked in the family business, Perma Cote Industries (PCI), for 31 years until it was sold in 1999.
Gearing is currently the owner and president of Fayette Holding Limited, a real estate development company with the primary real estate being the Fayette Building located on Main Street in Uniontown.
Some key issues Gearing has on his platform include good government, economic development, health care reform and education.
"I believe in an open government where the citizens can see how and what laws are being made and how their elected officials vote," he said.
As far as economic development, Gearing said it is essential for continued growth as a community.
"I will fight to bring jobs to our community by working with various civic organizations and municipalities to seek out long-standing stable companies as well as new start-up businesses," he said.
He added that as an elected leader he will consult with insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and nurses to bring change to the current health care situation.
Gearing said he will work to keep improvements in the state's education system happening close to home and will search for the best ways to get financial support for the district's schools.
Gearing said he chose to run for state representative because he felt the district needed a change.
"With what's taken place in the district, we need new leadership in state government," Gearing said. "I know that the time has come for change. We deserve better. If we let the same people continue to make the same decisions and do business in the same way, we will only get more of the same disappointing results that we have gotten in the past. It's time to start gearing up and moving forward."
