Schnee, Arroyo ready for special election next week
LUZERNE COUNTY (WOLF) — Republican Robert Schnee and democrat Amilcar Arroyo seem to have more in common than the average voter might think.
Both say they want what's best for Hazleton- and the city's surrounding towns.
"I just love and have compassion for the area and the people," Schnee, a Luzerne County councilman said.
"This is a way to give back to my community," Arroyo said.
That's why they're both running for the open seat in the state house.
It's been vacant for three months- since former representative Tarah Toohil was elected Luzerne County judge.
The special election for the now-vacated seat in the 116th legislative district is just a week away- on April 5.
Schnee is focused on helping our seniors.
"Our senior citizens are strapped with a lot of hard decisions. I'd like to just get them some relief and totally eliminate school property tax once you reach the age of 65
Arroyo, originally from Peru and now a U.S. citizen- feels the large Latino community in the Hazleton area needs some representation.
"This country, this area gave me a lot when I moved into this area. They opened their arms to me. I'm Latino but I want to serve the entire community," Arroyo said.
Because this is a special election, the winner would finish out Toohil's term, which ends November 30.
There will be a completely different election for the seat- which the winner will hold in January. The candidates on the ballot in that election are facing off in the May primary, and then again in November.
