The congested race for state representative of the 77th District became a little more crowded last week as the fourth Republican joined the competition.

On March 7, the public was informed that current Centre County Planning Commission Chairman Ronald Reese plans to seek the Republican nomination for the 77th District race.

Aside from Reese, Ken Bailey, Barbara Spencer and Matt Shaner -- all Republicans -- are seeking nomination in the May 16 primary election.

Democratic candidate Scott Conklin remains uncontested.

Reese said he believes he can serve the people in the 77th District better than his competitors. "I am a business man," Reese said. "My history of public service puts me in a better position than the other candidates."

Reese also said he believes that because neither an incumbent nor the Republican committee backed him, like Spencer and Shaner, he holds a different position in the race.

"People will pick me if they don't like to be told who to vote for," Reese said.

A native to State College and Penn State alumnus, Reese has plans for the future of Penn State.

"Funding for college has been going down, and I will work to restore that," Reese said.

With an extensive background in agriculture, Reese said he believes it is important to rejuvenate Penn State's agriculture program by adding funds to already existing coalitions supporting agriculture.

"I want to restore the cooperative sense that made Pennsylvania a land-grant state," Reese said.

Centre County Democratic Committee Chairman Bob Shepherd said he believes the crowded race is positive because it is bringing more attention to politics. "People realized with the Republicans in the House and Senate how they have bundled things and worked actively against [Gov. Ed] Rendell ... it is not a good year to be an incumbent," Shepherd said.

Conklin said he believes that the large number of people involved in the district race is a positive thing.

"Any time voters have the opportunity to choose is good," he said. "I am very fortunate to work with such good and experienced people."

After 24 years of serving as the state representative, Lynn Herman, R-Centre, stepped aside, allowing him to seek the position of Republican state committeeman this year.

"I think Herman had his run," Shaner said. "When a vacancy of an incumbent occurs, more people think of running. I am not surprised."

Herman did not return phone calls as of press time.

Centre County Republican Party Chairman G.T. Thompson also said he is not surprised with the number of people running.

"It is not unanticipated given an open seat," Thompson said. "I am surprised, though, there are not more qualified people running from the other side [the Democratic Party]."

However, Shepherd said the only reason to run against Conklin would be to make a point.

"No one runs against Scott. It would be like running against an incumbent," Shepherd said. "No one would win in the primary against him."

Even with the large number of people in the race for the 77th District, Reese said he feels at ease with his standing position.

"I am not a political professional. I am learning as I go," Reese said. "I am not uncomfortable being myself -- if that gets me votes, that is fine; if it doesn't get me votes, that is fine, too."