Published: February 01, 2008 11:56 am      

Cambria Twp. farmer seeks GOP nod

Robert Davis, a Cambria Township farmer who has fought for better property and crop protection during methane drilling, is now running for a seat in the state Legislature.

Davis, 53, is president of the county Farm Bureau, an associate director of the county Conservation District, and a member of the county Land Preservation Board.

A Republican, he is running for the 72nd Legislative District seat held by retiring Rep. Tom Yewcic in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

His priorities include tax reform, property owner protections against drillers, farmland preservation and more municipal cooperation.

He advocates shifting some of the tax load to the sales and income taxes, rather than depending to such an extent on property taxes, he said.

Davis also advocates shared services so that municipalities can save money by sharing equipment and other assets, like the Central Cambria Coalition that includes Ebensburg Borough and Cambria and Jackson townships.

He said he also would work to require coalbed methane drillers to negotiate an agreement with landowners before drilling.

Davis has become well known for his testimony before the Senate and House Natural Resources Committee.

But Davis said he will not limit his attention to agricultural issues.

“I will seek support from everyone,” he said. His topics of interest include renewable energy, farmland preservation and health insurance reform.

A graduate of Penn State with a degree in agriculture business, Davis has been on the county Farm Bureau board for six years, serving as president for two.

His family has owned and operated the Davis farm in Cambria Township since the 1870s.