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LOCK HAVEN -- William McGill, of Clinton County, has announced his candidacy for the position of Senator in the General Assembly-25th District, as a write-in candidate for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming April 23 primary.
The 25th district, the largest geographically in the state, covers all of five counties and parts of two others in northcentral Pennsylvania including Clinton County.
As a write-in candidate his name will not appear on the primary ballot and voters are urged to write in his name as William McGill on their mail-in and paper ballots and enter it in on their voting machine on election day.
William McGill or "Bill" as he is known, was born in Lock Haven. He was raised in Mill Hall and attended Mill Hall schools. Graduating from Bald Eagle Nittany High School, he decided to forgo college and bought a neighborhood grocery store he renamed Fairview Market.
Bill joined the U.S. Army and served three years active and three years inactive duty in the service. Bill was stationed in Texas and served in San Antonio, El Paso and finally at Ft. Hood, Texas. There, he was assigned to the 6th Air Cav and managed two troop medical clinics -- one for pilots and flight line crews and the other for the general population of service members and their families. He also was the flight line's "Hearing Conservation NCO." Bill earned the rank of E-5/Sp 5, was presented the Army Commendation Medal for his service and was honorably discharged.
Bill is semi-retired from the automobile business. His last position was a Manager of a full service repair service. For 35 years Bill managed several automobile dealerships throughout central Pennsylvania. He started as a sales consultant and was promoted to sales manager, truck manager, rental manager and finally to general manager.
Before his success in the automobile business, Bill was employed by Prudential Insurance and state licensed to sell multi-lines of insurance products. He also worked as an independent insurance agent and owned or was part owner in several others. Bill was licensed in real estate and worked for Prudential and Hoderick Realty companies.
Bill was involved in various community organizations including coaching and serving as President and Vice President in baseball youth leagues. Bill was elected as president of a Jaycee Chapter and was elected as district director, serving the organization as a motivational speaker. He was also the founder of the Mill Hall Area Jaycees. Bill ran for political office twice. Once for Williamsport City Council and again the following year as a candidate for the State House of Representatives and lost one and withdrew from the second. Bill served Boy Scouts of America as a District Director in the Susquehanna Council.
According to a press release from McGill, he envisions utilizing his business skills to bring about more opportunities to the 25th State Senate District. He also believes in improving educational opportunities within area school district's by increasing funding for rural communities and forming partnerships with local educators.
The shrinking population of rural Pennsylvania is also a concern.
"We must do more to encourage our residents to stay and help us build more robust communities by offering better employment opportunities and greater infrastructure improvements," the release said. "For the health of our rural area we need to find a solution to the closing of our hospitals and clinics. In order to continue attracting new employment and offering stability for our residents it's imperative we use economic funding to achieve that objective."
McGill also noted his stand on reproductive rights and women's healthcare.
"Reproductive rights for women and encouraging women to be free to choose their own health care solutions requires strong legislation to affirm those rights and make them law," the release said.
Voter rights are also important to McGill.
"Protecting voting rights are essential to our freedom of democracy. Making voting easier and more accessible must be our focus. We no longer can allow suppression and oppression to violate the basic fundamental rights of all citizens," the release said.
"McGill will never over promise and under deliver. Instead of the broken promises that other politicians tell you, Bill will bring you a new vision and a new voice that will include listening to you, the very people that hired him as your State Senator," the release stated.
McGill is encouraging Democrats, Independents and Republicans to join him on this journey as he travels the 25th District.