Published: March 02, 2009 11:41 pm      

Constable-bodyguard runs for district judge

HASTINGS — Brian L. Gates, a Chest Township resident, has announced that he is seeking the post of district judge in District 47-3-05.

The district covers Hastings, Northern Cambria and Patton boroughs and Barr, Chest, Clearfield, Elder, Susquehanna, West Carroll and White townships.

Incumbent District Judge Michael Zungali is expected to seek re-election.

Gates, 46, who lives in the Village of Flinton, had been a state constable for more than 10 years and currently is a deputy constable.

Gates is a Democrat and said he will cross file for the Democratic and Republican nominations.

An eighth-degree black belt in karate, Gates also works as a professional bodyguard and owns three companies offering bodyguard services and defensive tactics instruction. He has instructed law-enforcement officers, senior citizens and women’s groups in defense.

Gates said he running for district judge because “I am interested in becoming an integral part of the solution in making our communities safe,” including stopping the trafficking of drugs in local communities and detering thefts and other crimes that impact senior citizens.

He attended Glendale High School and received his high school equivalency diploma in Altoona. He has taken continuing education courses at Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.