Two of Centre Counties longest serving state representatives, Kerry Benninghoff (R-Bellefonte) and Scott Conklin (D-Philipsburg) have announced they are seeking re-election.
Conklin is seeking his ninth term representing the 77th District, which includes State College, Philipsburg and Huston and Rush townships along with part of Ferguson and Patton townships. Conklin was first elected in 2006. Previously, he served seven years as Centre County Commissioner. He currently is the democratic chair the House State Government Committee.
“I have always strived to be a servant leader for working families and all people I’ve represented in my years of public service,” Conklin said. “In Harrisburg, I will continue fighting for increased education funding, safer infrastructure, voter accessibility and environmental sustainability for Pennsylvania.”
Conklin noted several endorsements in his campaign announcement, including House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, Seven Mountains Central Labor Council and Teamsters Local 8. Locally, he is supported by Centre County Commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins, Centre County Controller Jason Moser, Centre County Treasurer Colleen Kennedy, Centre County Prothonotary Jeremy Breon and Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers.
No other candidates have announced campaigns for the 77th district.
During his last re-election campaign in 2020, Conklin defeated Republican challenger Steven Yetsko with 66 percent of the vote.
If the final legislative map approved by the Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission survives a legal challenge, Conklin would see some changes to the make-up of his district. The 77th would split State College precincts with the new 82nd district, but would add areas currently included in the 81st district represented by Huntingdon County Republican Rich Irvin. The 77th would add the remaining precincts of Ferguson and Patton townships as well as Port Matilda and Halfmoon, Taylor and Worth townships.
BENNINGHOFF
Benninghoff has represented the 171st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since first elected in 1997. He is seeking his 14th term. After serving as first majority policy chair and then Republican Whip, Benninghoff stepped into the leadership role in the House in June of 2020. His district includes part of Centre and Mifflin counties.
A State College Area High School graduate, Benninghoff later attended Pennsylvania State University. He received advanced training in the Certified Coroners Training Program conducted in Hershey by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Before serving in the state House, he was elected twice as coroner in Centre County in 1991 and 1995 after serving as deputy corner for six years.
In a press release he said that serving the people of Centre and Mifflin counites has been “the honor of a lifetime” and that he hopes to continue to do so.
Benninghoff touts a record of “significant legislative achievement and continued trust among his colleagues to lead on sound conservative principles that put the people of Pennsylvania first.”
He said in a press release that during his time in the House of Representatives, Benninghoff has delivered for the people of Centre and Mifflin counties by fighting to keep state spending low, opposing broad-based tax increases, investing in students, voting to advance pro-life legislation, fighting for Second Amendment rights, empowering families and ensuring constituents receive the state services they need and deserve.”
“The foundation of our form of government requires us to put people first, to truly listen to and respond to the needs of those we represent. I have been honored to carry the voice of our unique community to the halls of government in Harrisburg and would be honored to be able to continue to serve my friends, neighbors, and colleagues,” said Benninghoff.
During his last reelection campaign in 2020, Benninghoff defeated Democratic challenger Peter Buck with 61.4 percent of the vote overall and 57.4 percent in Centre County.
Robert Zeigler, a Democratic Millheim councilman, previously announced his candidacy for the 171st district seat. In Centre County, the 171st district currently represents Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim boroughs, Gregg, Harris, Penn, Potter, Spring and Walker townships and parts of College and Ferguson townships.
The final legislative map approved by the Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission would alter the composition of the 171st district. Harris and College townships would move to the open 82nd district and Ferguson Township to the 77th district. The 171st would add Miles and Haines townships, which are currently part of the 76th district represented by Clinton County Republican Stephanie Borowicz.
(Other parts of Centre County currently represented by the 76th district would move into the 82nd, along with part of State College from the 77th.)
In Mifflin County, the 171st district would represent Armagh, Bratton, Brown, Granville, Menno, Oliver, Union and Wayne townships.
The bipartisan, five-member Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve the final legislative maps. Benninghoff was the lone “no” vote and has asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to order that the current maps established in 2012 by the Republican-majority General Assembly be used for the 2022 election.
Geoff Rushton, managing editor of StateCollege.com , contributed to this report.
