Centre County Commissioner Keith Bierly announced last night that he is seeking re-election in 1995 and is not running for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Bierly's decision came as a surprise because many thought he would seek candidacy for the state seat in the 171st District, currently held by fellow-Democrat Ruth Rudy.

But Bierly pledged last year not to run against either Rudy or state Sen. J. Doyle Corman, R-Bellefonte, should they seek re-election. Rudy was expected to run for lieutenant governor and Bierly was planning to run for her position.

However, Bierly said he spoke with Rudy a few days ago and discovered that she was running for two offices -- her current seat in the state House of Representatives and lieutenant governor.

"Obviously there was some miscommunication between the two of us," he said.

Bierly said he has already spent thousands of dollars on the campaign for state representative.

"I was all ready. I had the engines running and I was ready to hit the ground," Bierly said.

Bierly said he has been friends with Rudy for 20 years and will support her for the state office.

If re-elected commissioner, Bierly said he would serve on the three-person commission for four years and then consider candidacy at the state level.

"I would hope to have a shot at a statewide office at some time," Bierly said.

Bierly originally planned to announce his decision last night during a reception at the Elk's Country Club in Boalsburg, but the reception was called off because of the inclement weather.

Bierly, a Centre Hall resident, was elected to the Centre County Board of Commissioners in 1987 and re-elected in 1991. Before serving as commissioner, he was a district justice for 12 years in Centre Hall.

Bierly will be opposed in the upcoming election by Republican County Commissioner Vicki Wedler.