Centre County Recorder of Deeds Joseph Davidson will run for reelection in 2023 as he seeks a seventh term in office, he said on Sunday.
Davidson, a Republican and College Township resident, was first elected recorder of deeds in 1999.
“It has been an honor to serve the residents of Centre County these last 23 years and I look forward to working for them for another term,” Davidson said in a statement.
Over seeing a staff of five, the Recorder of Deeds is charged with recording, protecting, preserving and reproducing legal documents related to real estate in Centre County. It also acts as official agent for the Real Estate Transfer Tax, collecting and disbursing more than $22 million in 2022.
During his tenure, Davidson said, he “has dramatically improved efficiency,” and led the office’s transition to 21st century technology. He cited accomplishments including imaging and reindexing all documents dating back to the county’s beginnings, developing one of Pennsylvania’s first web-based public access system, implementing electronic recording of documents, redacting sensitive and personal information from public documents and becoming the first Centre County row office to accept credit cards for payment.
Davidson said that while the office has become “one of the top in the state in terms of technological advancement and recording efficiency,” he has kept costs low and fees to their mandated minimums.
“I will continue to ensure that Centre County resources and tax dollars are protected and being used efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Davidson is an active member and past chief of the Boalsburg Fire Company, in addition to his involvement with multiple other volunteer activities and civic and fraternal organizations. He lives near Boalsburg with his wife, Wendy, and son, Hayden.
The municipal primary election is May 16. The first day for candidates to circulate and file nomination petitions is Feb. 14.
