State Rep. Scott Conklin makes run for Pennsylvania auditor general official
After considering a run for auditor general “very closely,” state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, has made his campaign official.
On Monday, he announced his candidacy for the state’s chief fiscal officer, saying his political and professional experiences make him a strong candidate. Conklin, who has served in the state legislature since 2006, is a former Centre County commissioner with a background in business. His current term in the state House ends in 2020.
“I’ve devoted the past 20 years of my life to serving my community in the heart of Pennsylvania, as a Centre County Commissioner to my current office of state representative in the 77th house district,” Conklin tweeted. “My experience with legislation combating domestic violence, encouraging economic investment and fighting against partisan politics, uniquely qualifies me to protect vulnerable Pennsylvanians from waste, fraud and predatory practices.”
In September, Conklin said working at both the county and state levels taught him how government operates while understanding what local communities need in order to thrive.
“I’ve had the ability to work with everything that the auditor general does,” he said in October. “The underlying tasks that the auditor general does, I’m fortunate to have the experience.”
With experience gained and connections made during his 2010 run for lieutenant governor, Conklin said he used the summer to travel across the state — visiting at least 40 counties — to connect with potential voters and campaign volunteers.
“I fully intend to leverage my decades of experience, with a clear and responsible fiscal focus, to continue fighting for the hardworking residents of Pennsylvania,” Conklin tweeted Monday morning.
Current state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced his bid for the state’s 10th Congressional District seat in September.
Former Deputy Philadelphia Mayor Nina Ahmad, former Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz, nonprofit leader and former Lancaster County congressional candidate Christina Hartman and Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb said they were planning to run for in the 2020 primary election.
This story was originally published January 6, 2020 at 11:29 AM.
