Hugh Hyder-Darlington

Hugh Hyder-Darlington served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1983. Hyder-Darlington earned a high school diploma from the Northern Chester County Vo-Tech and a bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1983. Hyder-Darlington is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Hugh Darlington, and I’m running to serve the people of Pennsylvania’s 98th District because I believe our communities deserve leadership that listens, serves, and brings people together. I’m a veteran, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and someone who has spent most of my life working hard, serving others, and standing up for what’s right.

I grew up believing in duty, responsibility, and service to community. My military service taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of putting something bigger than yourself first. I’ve worked alongside people from many different backgrounds, and I believe most people want the same basic things — safe communities, strong schools, affordable healthcare, good jobs, and a fair shot for their families.

I started my civic life as a Republican, but the party left me. I became a Democrat because I believe in truth, unity, compassion, and leadership that puts people before politics. I’m running to support our communities, strengthen agriculture and local business, expand career and trade opportunities, and help build a future where working families can succeed and young people can stay and build a life here at home.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

1. Community First Leadership

I’m running because I believe our communities deserve leadership that listens, serves, and brings people together. Too many people feel unheard and left behind while politics keeps pushing neighbors further apart. I believe public service should focus on solving problems, strengthening communities, and treating people with dignity and respect. Whether someone is a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, most people want the same basic things — safe communities, opportunity for their families, honest leadership, and a fair shot at a good life. I believe leadership should lower the temperature, focus on the common good, and put people before politics.2. Strong Public Schools, Career Pathways, and Local Opportunity

Strong communities begin with strong public schools and real opportunities for young people. I believe every student deserves a fair shot and multiple pathways to success, whether that means college, military service, career and technical education, apprenticeships, farming, or the skilled trades. We need to respect teachers, support students and families, and make sure education connects to real life and real jobs in our communities. Agriculture, healthcare, small business, manufacturing, and the trades all depend on a strong local workforce. I want young people to see a future here at home where they can work hard, build a life, raise a family, and stay connected to the comI’m a veteran, husband, father, and grandfather who believes in duty, responsibility, and standing up for what’s right. I believe people who work hard deserve dignity, affordable healthcare, good-paying jobs, and the chance to build a stable future for their families. Too many people are struggling with rising costs, medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. Family farms, working families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses deserve leadership that understands the pressures they are facing every day. I’m running to support working people, strengthen local communities, protect opportunities for future generations, and help restore trust that government can still work for ordinary people.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about the issues that affect people every day in our communities. Public education matters deeply to me because students deserve a fair shot and real opportunities, whether through college, military service, career and technical education, apprenticeships, farming, or the skilled trades. I also care strongly about affordable healthcare because nobody should go bankrupt because they got sick. Agriculture, veterans, working families, and small businesses are important to me because they are the backbone of our communities. My military service taught me that leadership means service, responsibility, and standing up for what’s right.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Lancaster County Democratic Committee; Donegal Democrat Committee; Elizabethtown Democrat Committee; PA Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El, PA State Representative; Nicky Rivera, PA State Representative; Alice Yoder, Lancaster County Commissioner (PA); MattRodriguez, Elizabethtown Borough Council (PA); Zack Hollcraft, Mount Joy Borough Council (PA). Additional endorsements are in process with other individuals and organizations.