State Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Altoona, has announced his intention to seek a third term representing the 79th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“The House of Representatives is the people’s House and I am the people’s representative,” Schmitt said in a news release announcing his decision to seek re-election.

During his most recent term in the General Assembly, Schmitt has sponsored legislation that enhances criminal penalties for those who spit on police officers, toughens penalties for repeat DUI offenders, protects infants from human traffickers, fights blight in cities and rural areas, improves early literacy for youth and eliminates per diem expenses for legislators.

Schmitt said he is a staunch defender of the Constitutional rights of citizens to bear arms and is a strong Pro-Life advocate.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Schmitt said he fought for the rights of local citizens to operate their businesses, earn their livelihoods and live their lives by convincing Gov. Tom Wolf to reopen Blair County.

As a member of the PA House State Government Committee, Schmitt said he successfully fought during the redistricting process to keep Blair County from being divided up between different congressional districts, thus protecting the election integrity of Blair County and preserving its unified voice in elections.

Schmitt currently serves as Chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads and serves on the Appropriations, State Government and Insurance committees.