Concord Township resident Dave Cleary has announced his candidacy for state representative of the 160th Legislative District. He is running as an independent against State Rep. Stephen Barrar.
Cleary ran against Barrar is 2010, also as an independent. In that three-way race, Barrar took 18,000 votes, Democrat Nick DiGregory had 7,700 and Cleary came away with 1,300 votes.
Born in North Dakota, Cleary said he went to the U.S. Naval Academy and became a naval flight officer. He has a master’s degree in business administration.
In announcing his candidacy, Cleary said, “ I am running for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives as an Independent candidate. I have chosen not to align with a political party because the political party candidates have become too aligned with their parties’ agendas. They have forgotten that they are elected to represent the people. It’s time to return our government to the people.”
He said he would reduce taxpayer cost for state government, lead discussions aimed at ending the problems of drugs and guns and promote ethics in government by holding the state Ethics Commission and Judicial conduct system accountable for serving people with integrity.
During his 2010 campaign, Cleary advocated regional governance by consolidating municipalities to form more effective local government and provide for better police protection.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
