Warminster Supervisor Mark McKee Won't Seek Re-Election

WARMINSTER, PA —As Warminster Township supervisors each offered updates on the various township departments where they serve as liaisons at Thursday's meeting, Supervisor Mark McKee hesitated after discussing upcoming Parks and Recreation events.

And then he made an announcement.

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I'm not going to run for re-election," said McKee, who was trying to hold back emotions as he spoke.

McKee has served as a supervisor for 11 years. His term ends on Dec. 31.

"This has been a lifelong ambition," the 57-year-old McKee told the audience. "It's been the greatest job of my life. But I just don't have the stomach for another round. I'm going to sit this one out."

McKee, a cancer survivor, told Patch during a break in the meeting that the campaign trail was hard on his health.

He said that he didn't "have the energy for another campaign" of going door-to-door and doing the work for a re-election bid.

McKee told the audience that serving as a supervisor is a "tremendous honor" and a "labor of love" in which he said a supervisor probably earns about 4 cents an hour for all of the work they put into the job.

His announcement seemed to catch his colleagues off guard. McKee told them he held the announcement "close to his vest."

"It's been a pleasure to work with you," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "Thank you for your years of service."

McKee said he still wants to remain involved in township affairs, including the Warminster Rotary Club.

"Who knows what the future holds," he told Patch.

McKee was the only one of the five supervisors whose term was up at the end of the year.

As the supervisors' meeting closed, McKee offered some more remarks.

"It's probably the toughest decision I ever made," he said. "But I know I'm doing this for me and my family."

"I'm still in shock Mark," Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Katherine Frescatore said.