Four years ago, Jess Royer launched a campaign for a seat on the Berks County Board of Commissioners, believing that his progressive leadership would be an asset to the county.
He still believes that.
“We find ourselves in need of a new generation of forward-thinking leaders ready to build a county government that works for all of us,” he said. “I have a new vision that I can bring to the board on some of the same issues that have been around for a long time.”
Royer is running again to bring that progressive perspective to local government. He touts his strong ties to organized labor, his years of experience as an educator and his desire to give back to his community as the motivating forces behind his campaign.
And, this time, the Democrat has more political experience to bring to the table.
Royer ran a successful campaign in 2021 for a spot on the Spring Township Board of Supervisors. He said that post has given him a new appreciation for what it’s like to be in a position to make tough decisions that will impact residents.
“It’s interesting to be sitting on the other side of the table,” the 36-year-old said. “Digging into the issues a little more and learning about the nuances of a situation, you realize that you didn’t see the full picture when you were a member of the audience. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes, and that has been invaluable for me to work in that environment.”
Royer is the first Democrat to announce his campaign for a seat on the board. Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt, who has served as the lone Democrat on the three-member board since 2008, will not be seeking reelection. Instead, he will serve as the chief operations officer for the county starting in January.
All three commissioner positions are up for election in 2023. Two Democrats and two Republicans will be chosen by voters in the primary election to move onto the general election in the fall, where the top three vote-getters will win seats.
Republican commissioners Christian Leinbach and Michael Rivera announced this month that they will once again be running as a team for their party’s two nominations.
Royer, a reference librarian at the Reading Public Library, said the board could use some new viewpoints.
The candidate said his top priorities are preserving open spaces from the proliferation of warehouse development, providing consistent public services to residents, which includes the creation of a county health department, expanding the number of ballot drop boxes, supporting union workers and ensuring that Berks is a great place to live and work.
“I’m running on the same platform as I did four years ago,” he said. “Many of the same questions facing the board then are still before the commissioners. That includes maintaining the county nursing home, preserving open spaces, restoring passenger rail service and moving forward with the construction of a new correctional facility.”
The primary election will be held May 16.
Meet the candidate
Candidate: Jess Royer, 36, Spring Township.
Background: Royer serves as a Spring Township supervisor. He is a reference librarian at the Reading Public Library, a union leader and former chairman of the township zoning hearing board.
Website: facebook.com/JessRoyerBerksCounty
Source: Berkshire mont
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