Seneca Valley School Board Member Announces Run for Cranberry Supervisor

Although the spring primary election still is months away, a candidate already is throwing his hat into the ring to run for Cranberry Township’s Board of Supervisors.

Seneca Valley School Board member Eric Gordon on Tuesday announced his intention to run on the Republican ticket in May. If successful, he will move on to the November general election.

A nuclear industry consultant and Navy veteran, Gordon currently is finishing up his first four-year term on the school board.

“I think with the combination of my Navy leadership and everything I’ve learned as far as budgeting with the school board, I’ve like to continue doing work in Cranberry,” he said of why he is choosing to run for supervisor.

He added it is unlikely he will campaign for the school board once his term ends later this year.

As far as platforms, Gordon, the treasurer of the Butler County Republican Committee and former president of the Butler County Young Republicans, said he plans to emphasize the need for Cranberry officials to continue implementing The Cranberry Plan as well to foster a strong relationship with state legislators.

This includes working with state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, who is known to have a strained relationship with some local officials, Gordon said.   

“The citizens of Cranberry Township will benefit enormously from a local government that works closely with its state officials,” Gordon said in a statement. “Cranberry should be the top choice for new or existing companies that could benefit from our low taxes or convenient location. My top priority will be to foster the type of relationship between Cranberry and Harrisburg that will maximize infrastructure growth in the township."

At 31 years old, Gordon, who lives in Cranberry with his wife and daughter, also said he would be the voice of the community’s younger demographic.

“I think that’s been missing,” he said.

Gordon is campaigning for the spot held by Democrat Dave Root, whose term expires Dec. 31, 2013.

Root, who was first elected in 2008, said he is undecided if he will run again for Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors.

“I've had quite a few people ask me to run again, and have had some make commitments to support me,” he said in an email. “At this time, I'm looking at it and whether that is what I want to do in the future as I'm also looking at other ways to serve.” 

A graduate of Seneca Valley High School and Thomas Edison State College, where he majored in Nuclear Engineering Technologies, Gordon has launched a Facebook account and web page for his campaign. To view it, click here.

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