Ronald Rabenold, a resident of Franklin Township, Lehighton, has announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 122nd Legislative District. He is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination in the April 24 Primary Election.

"This campaign will be about the people of Carbon County. I have been active in serving my community in many ways but it is the current political climate that leads me to step up to political office." Rabenold said. "The people of Carbon County deserve a representative who will listen, who will search for the right solutions, not just the solutions handed down by party bosses. My political views make me a Democrat but my vote will be cast for the people of this county and not strictly along party lines."Rabenold is a lifelong resident of the Lehighton area. He and his wife of 25 years, the former Kimberly Schleicher, are the parents of two sons, Nathaniel and Jonathan.Rabenold has devoted his life to the care of the people of this county."I firmly believe that I possess the energy, commitment and temperament Carbon needs in these times and in this hostile political climate," he said.A 21-year veteran teacher, he has filled many leadership roles in his lifetime. He was honored to be named to the State Professional Standards and Practices Commission and has also served in various leadership capacities for the Lehighton Area teachers.Rabenold is the founder and coordinator of the Lehighton Area Book Swap, an event going into its eighth year that has enabled over 80,000 books to get re-circulated among the youths and adults of the Lehighton area."I believe in rolling up your sleeves and using practical sense to solve problems. This approach and simply listening to the real people of Carbon County is what I believe makes me the right choice for our county's residents and taxpayers. I pledge to be as judicious as a miner's wife with every dollar entrusted to me," Rabenold stated.Locally, he has served as officer and board member of many local organizations, including Jacob's United Church of Christ, Weissport; the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center; Carbon County Classic Car Show; and the Mauch Chunk Historical Society. He has also been a Little League coach, Sunday school teacher, lay-supply minister, Boy Scout leader, American Legion District and Inter-District Oratory Contest judge, and Memorial Day speaker."It is time our voice in Harrisburg puts an end once and for all to the dodge and shift tactics that have been plaguing our taxpayers for too long," Rabenold said. "The federal and state governments keep tightening the purse strings and shifting the load to our local districts at an ever increasing and alarming rate. Our residents deserve better."We all know education is the key to economic freedom, and yet it is always the first part cut from the state budget. We need a leader who will work for the taxpayer and for the youth we hope to educate into productive citizens of our county."Rabenold has authored many local history articles and has led his students on many hikes to places like Mount Pisgah and along the Switchback Railroad to share his love of our county's heritage and beauty, proving his dedication, compassion and willingness to work above and beyond. He has authored the website, "CulturedCarbonCounty.blogspot.com" for the past two years.Their son Nathaniel is a 2009 Kutztown University graduate and is currently making plans toward an advanced degree. He was a member of the Golden Bears football team and majored in History.Jonathan is a 2011 Lehighton Area High School graduate attending Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., majoring in its Ocean Engineering program. He was recruited into the inaugural class of players of the

F.I.T. football program. They look to compete in the Fall of 2013.Ron is the youngest son of Ruthie and Randy "Double R" Rabenold of Lehighton."My mother was a hard working mother of five who also found time to work at Trainer's Inn to support her family. She was instrumental in teaching me diplomacy," he said.His father taught art at Jim Thorpe for 37 years, coaching basketball most of those years. He ran the Jim Thorpe Summer Basketball League for 50 years. He also fought in First Provisional Marine Brigade in the Korean Conflict.