The two state senators who represent Carbon County and the West End of Monroe County have both announced they will not seek re-election.

On Wednesday, state Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe/Northampton, announced he will retire later this year, citing health reasons. On Thursday, state Sen. John Yudichak, R-Luzerne/Carbon, announced he would not seek re-election so he could spend more time with family. They joined 29 other state legislators who are retiring or not seeking re-election in 2022.

“As my daughters embark on important milestones in their own lives, I plan to dedicate myself to supporting their endeavors and to enjoying every moment we share together as a family,” Yudichak said in a statement.

First elected in 2010, Yudichak represented all of Carbon County for the last decade. The recent redistricting moved his district to the Lehigh Valley and drew him into the 20th district, currently held by four-term incumbent state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, Wyoming.

A longtime Democrat who switched to Independent in 2019, Yudichak was known for working with both parties.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, recalled how they worked together to obtain LSA gaming grants for boroughs and townships across Carbon County. They also advocated for the Project SHINE after-school program.

“When John was a Democrat, now he’s an Independent, we didn’t really look at party, we looked at ‘how can we work together for what’s best for the community.’ That’s something we need more of in politics today,” Heffley said. “It was an honor to work with John for all of these years.”

Kathy Henderson, economic development director for Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, credited Yudichak for his work to bring jobs to the area. Yudichak, along with Heffley, worked on million-dollar Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants for large commercial projects in Banks and Kidder townships.

“He was a pleasure to work with, always willing to listen,” she said.

During the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl run, Yudichak pledged to hike and bike the entire D&L Trail if they won. Elissa Garofalo, who at the time was executive director of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, recalled how he made good on his pledge, and they organized events all along his path. The “Senator Takes a Hike” campaign brought needed attention to the trail at a time when it was securing funding for the Mansion House Bridge in Jim Thorpe.

“Walking the trail, when he saw that it opened his eyes, and helped us to close more gaps,” Garofalo said.

When new Senate maps were released last month, Yudichak said he was “profoundly disappointed” because they divided the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area among four Senate districts. However in his statement he praised each of the incumbent senators in those districts as friends and high quality public servants.

Carbon County will now be with Schuylkill County in the 29th senate district, represented by state Sen. David Argall.

Argall said in a statement that he enjoyed working with Yudichak to bring jobs to the area.

“It’s been an honor to work with Sen. Yudichak on incredibly impactful legislation over the years, including tax credits for our local coal energy plants, the Waste Tire Recycling Act, and the SHINE program in our schools,” he said.

State Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe/Northampton, will retire in December at the end of his current term. He was elected to the 40th District in 2014, after it was moved from Western Pennsylvania during redistricting. He served in the House from 2002-2014.

Scavello said that unexpected health reasons led to his decision to retire from public office.

“While it has been my honor and opportunity to serve the people for over 20 years and at many levels, the time has come for me to spend more time with my wife and family,” he said.

In the recent redistricting, his 40th District shifted north to include parts of Wayne and Lackawanna counties.

Scavello was known throughout his career for advocating for the eliminating or reforming the state’s system of school property taxes, and reducing property tax bills for seniors. He also authored the law which raised the state’s minimum age for tobacco sales to 21.

“Sen. Scavello is a real leader in our never-ending efforts to find a better way to fund our public schools, rather than our archaic and unfair system of school property taxes from the 1800s,” Argall said.

Scavello has endorsed state Rep. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe/Pike, to run for his seat. Brown had previously announced she would not run for re-election to her House seat this year.

“When one door closes, another opens. While this was not planned, Sen. Scavello’s sudden retirement announcement ignited my desire to apply my experience and proven ability at a larger level,” she said.