Souderton mayor Dan Yocum, an Independent, was first elected as mayor in 2021 after running unopposed. (Credit: Dan Yocum/MedianNews Group)
Yocum, an Independent, made the announcement Thursday, Feb. 27 on Facebook
Souderton Mayor Dan Yocum has announced that he will run for a second, and potentially final, term as mayor.
Yocum, an Independent, made the announcement Thursday, Feb. 27 on Facebook, describing it as “one of the most conflicting decisions of my life.”
“The energy to campaign again, and then serve for another four years is daunting, especially while also juggling a demanding career, family life, and care for my own mental health and wellbeing,” read the post.
The decision ultimately came down to Yocum’s desire to preserve Souderton’s neighborly political climate and keep partisan politics “at bay.”
“The world is a crazy place, and getting crazier by the day. I take enormous pride that Souderton, both as elected officials and the community as a whole, has remained bipartisan and neighborly,” read the post. “There are people that want to serve in this position to erase that. To bring national political debates to our community. And I just can’t see that happen. So, I have decided to run for mayor one more time, and I would appreciate your support.”
Yocum, 32, has served on Souderton Borough Council for the past 17 years, beginning as a junior councilor while a high school student before being elected to borough council in 2015. He was elected mayor in 2021 after running unopposed. He currently works as a credit manager at Moyer Indoor Outdoor.
A seventh generation Soudertonion, Yocum descends from a long line of Souderton public servants, beginning when his great-great-great grandfather Henry O. Souder founded the town.
“This community is in my blood,” read Yocum’s Facebook post.
Souderton mayor Dan Yocum speaks at the 2024 Souderton tree lighting ceremony.In an interview with The Reporter, Yocum said the decision to run for a second term as mayor “weighed very heavily” on him, describing the position as “rewarding but incredibly exhausting.”
“I was very close to not running,” said Yocum. “I’m very happy in my career, in my personal life. But I just can’t see someone else doing it and reversing the good things we accomplished. So, I’m doing it again.”
Yocum said he believes he is best equipped to guide Souderton through its period of transition, pointing to the recent retirement of 40-year borough manager Mike Coll and a slate of upcoming retirements on council and in several executive departments.
“I have this institutional knowledge of Souderton that can help us through a really transitional time in our staff and leadership,” said Yocum.
In his second term, Yocum lists some of his priorities as environmental sustainability, with improved outdoor spaces and greening initiatives, as well as maintaining transparency, citing the mayor’s memos, the new Souderton newsletter and a bolstered social media presence.
“Souderton residents, I hope, feel more engaged and know what’s going on in the town more than they ever have before, and I’d like to continue that,” said Yocum. “We’re not hiding anything. Things happened, and you should know about it.”
Yocum reiterated his desire to insulate Souderton from the hyperpartisanship and culture war battles afflicting neighboring municipalities and government bodies.
“While people around us have been a little bit chaotic in dealing with issues that are political in nature, Souderton really has maintained a bubble,” said Yocum. “And I have worked very, very hard to keep that so.”
While declining to give a definitive answer, Yocum indicated that his second term will likely be his last. He expressed no political aspirations beyond his current position, emphasizing his family’s Souderton roots and longstanding record of community service.
“I just get headaches from being mayor but I care enough about the people of Souderton to go at it one more time,” said Yocum. “And four years from now, maybe I’ll have a person who I feel comfortable taking over when I’m done, but at this point, I think I have a little bit more to give, and I’m still the right person for the job.”
The primary election will be held on May 20. While Democratic and Republican candidates will appear on the ballot, Independent candidates are write-in only.
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