Dane Watro

Dane Watro is an American politician serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 116th district. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 3, 2023.

Early life and education Watro attended the Hazleton Area High School, graduating in 1995. While stationed at Fort Hood, he studied criminal justice at Central Texas College.

Career After graduating from high school, Watro enlisted in the United States Army and was posted at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and Fort Hood. He reenlisted with the onset of the Iraq War. After training at Fort Dix, he deployed to Baghdad and was selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be a part of the American unit guarding Saddam Hussein. He was honorably discharged in March 2005.

After leaving the Army, he worked as president of Schuylkill County Concerned Citizens. He also served as the vice chairman of the Kline Township Municipal Authority. Watro was a member of the Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board for McAdoo before being elected the borough's mayor.

In 2022, Republican Robert Schnee, who filled the remainder of the term of former State Representative and current Luzerne County Judge Tarah Toohil, opted not to run for a full term. As such, there was a crowded field of Republican challengers to take his place in a primary. Watro placed first in the primary and defeated Democratic nominee Yesenia Rodriguez in the general election. Watro described being elected to the Pennsylvania house as "the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in my entire life."

Watro was placed in charge of the state's Trout stocking schedule in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which will stock Pennsylvania's rivers and lakes with 3.1 million trout for the start of trout season on April 1, 2023.

Personal life Watro is married to Angela Watro and together they have two daughters. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Clubs International, and AMVETS. Watro is a Catholic, and lives in Kline Township. He has been active in several local charities including the Hazleton United Children's Home, and United Charities Inc.

Election results