Centre County Recorder of Deeds Joe Davidson announces bid for seventh term

Centre County’s recorder of deeds plans to run for a seventh term.

Republican Joe Davidson said in a press release Sunday that he will seek reelection to the county office, to which he was first elected in 1999, that oversees documents dealing with real estate.

“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.

The recorder of deeds leads a staff of five and, the office’s website says, is primarily responsible for recording, protecting, preserving and reproducing legal documents related to real estate. The recorder’s office also handles real estate transfer taxes and last year collected and disbursed almost $22 million, Davidson’s campaign announcement said.

The announcement highlighted some of the technological advancements Davidson has overseen while in office. Among them are imaging and re-indexing all documents going back to the county’s beginning, creating one of the state’s first web-based public access systems, implementing electronic recording of documents and becoming the first row office in the county to accept credit cards.

Davidson said he was able to do all of that and also keep costs low and fees at mandated minimums. “I will continue to ensure that Centre County resources and tax dollars are protected and being used efficiently and effectively,” he said.

He is an active member and past chief of the Boalsburg Fire Company, a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and is active in Boy Scouts of America, among other community groups.

This story was originally published January 15, 2023 at 2:48 PM.