Dane Watro
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 116th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byRobert Schnee
Mayor of McAdoo, Pennsylvania
In office
2010–2013
In office
2018–2021
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAngela Watro
Children2
Residence(s)Kline Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationCentral Texas College
Websiterepwatro.com
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1995–2005
Battles/warsIraq War

Dane Watro is an American politician serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 116th district. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 3, 2023.[1]

Early life and education

Watro attended the Hazleton Area High School, graduating in 1995. While stationed at Fort Hood, he studied criminal justice at Central Texas College.

Career

After graduating from high school, Watro enlisted in the United States Army and was posted at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and Fort Hood. He reenlisted with the onset of the Iraq War. After training at Fort Dix, he deployed to Baghdad and was selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be a part of the American unit guarding Saddam Hussein. He was honorably discharged in March 2005.[1][2]

After leaving the Army, he worked as president of Schuylkill County Concerned Citizens. He also served as the vice chairman of the Kline Township Municipal Authority. Watro was a member of the Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board for McAdoo before being elected the borough's mayor.[2] He served as mayor for two non-continuous terms, first from 2010 to 2013, and again from 2018 to 2021.[3]

In 2022, Republican Robert Schnee, who filled the remainder of the term of former State Representative and current Luzerne County Judge Tarah Toohil, opted not to run for a full term. As such, there was a crowded field of Republican challengers to take his place in a primary. Watro placed first in the primary and defeated Democratic nominee Yesenia Rodriguez in the general election. Watro described being elected to the Pennsylvania house as "the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in my entire life."[3]

Watro announced that his district offices would be located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania.[4]

Watro was placed in charge of the state's Trout stocking schedule in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which will stock Pennsylvania's rivers and lakes with 3.1 million trout for the start of trout season on April 1, 2023.[5]

Personal life

Watro is married to Angela Watro and together they have two daughters. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Clubs International, and AMVETS. Watro is a Catholic, and lives in Kline Township. He has been active in several local charities including the Hazleton United Children's Home, and United Charities Inc.[2]

Election results

PA House election, 2022 Republican Primary:
Pennsylvania House, District 116
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dane Watro 2,188 40.41%
Republican Mike LaRocca 956 17.65%
Republican John Chura 809 14.94%
Republican Gary Perna 594 10.97%
Republican Nico R. Makuta 471 8.7%
Republican Dyllan Angelo-Ogurkis 382 7.05%
Margin of victory 1,232 22.76%
Turnout 5,018 100%
PA House election, 2022:
Pennsylvania House, District 116
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dane Watro 9,773 67.6%
Democratic Yesenia Rodriguez 4,531 31.4%
Margin of victory 5,242 36.2%
Turnout 14,304 100%

References

  1. 1 2 "Dane Watro". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Watro, Dane. "About Dane". www.repwatro.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  3. 1 2 ESPOSITO, JAMES; KRAWCZENIUK, BORYS; LEE, HYUN SOO. "Schuylkill County's 3 new lawmakers take office in Harrisburg". Bradford Era. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Watro announces office locations in Mahanoy City, Hazleton". Potter Leader-Enterprise. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  5. ↑ O’Boyle, Bill. "Rep. Watro announces 2023 trout stocking schedule, Mentored Youth Trout Day". Times Leader. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
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