Democrat Joseph J. Marx Jr. officially announced his candidacy for the office of mayor of Whitehall Township.

Marx currently serves as president of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners. He was also the past vice president of the board of commissioners. He was nominated and appointed to both positions by his peers

Marx also serves on the board of the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority as its community affairs officer. He reported he is currently the longest-serving board member, with more than 13 years.

Additionally, Marx served for four years on the Whitehall Township Planning Commission.

He is an honorably discharged U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served in Marine aviation on both active duty and in the reserves.

He has also owned a successful Whitehall Township small business for more than 20 years in the property management field.

“I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Whitehall Township as our mayor and continue to serve Whitehall to the best of my ability,” Marx said. “I feel I have the experience, integrity and ability to successfully serve as mayor.”

He has been married to his wife, Colleen, for 30 years. They have two children, Joseph and Kade; a daughter-in-law, Amanda; and four grandchildren.