Argall, Watro, Twardzik have likely challengers in November

HARRISBURG – State Senator Dave Argall (R-29) hasn’t had an opponent from across the aisle at election time since 2012. A White Haven man has filed nomination papers to change that this year.

The recent round of redistricting changed the 29th Senatorial District.

Still covering all of Schuylkill County, it now covers all of Carbon County and much of lower Luzerne — the Greater Hazleton Area, minus the valley, and into the Pocono Mountains, including Freeland, White Haven, and Bear Creek — instead of northern Berks County.

That’s new territory is where Argall’s Democratic challenger comes from.

John Zugarek, of White Haven, is the only candidate to file nomination papers to run in April’s Democratic primary. Argall, of Rush Township, is the only Republican.

Zugarek is a professor at Marywood University in Scranton and a councilman in White Haven. He previously ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Argall is seeking his fifth term in the state Senate. He was first elected in a 2009 special election following the untimely passing of Senator James J. Rhoades. He defeated Tim Seip to retain the seat in 2012 and has run unopposed in each election since.

Representatives

Reps. Dane Watro (R-116) and Tim Twardzik (R-123) will also have cross-aisle challengers in November.

Both are the only Republicans filed for April’s primary.

In the 116th, which covers Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, the Ringtown Valley, and the Hazleton area, Deborah Adoff, of Eagle Rock, East Union Township, has filed to run in the Democratic ticket.

Adoff is a retired court stenographer.

Watro, of Kline Township, is the former Mayor of McAdoo and was first elected in 2022.

In the 123rd, which covers West Mahanoy Township, Ashland, Girardville, and much of central Schuylkill County, incumbent Twardzik, of Englewood, Butler Township, also will have a challenger in November.

Michael Zvalaren III, of the Freidensburg area of Wayne Township, is the only Democrat filed for the April primary. Twardzik is the only Republican.

Zvalaren is an adjunct professor at the College of New Jersey, and is a kitchen designer, according to his financial interest statement filed with the state.

Twardzik was first elected to office in 2020. He was previously an executive at Ateeco, Inc.

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