2 Centre County state representatives announce reelection campaigns
Two Centre County state representatives announced their reelection campaigns Tuesday.
Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, announced they will run for reelection to the 77th House District and 171st House District, respectively.
Since 2007, Conklin has been a representative for parts of Centre County, including Philipsburg and State College. Prior to that, he served as a Centre County commissioner for seven years and has a background in business. He is the Democratic chair of 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 a press release. “In Harrisburg, I will continue fighting for increased education funding, safer infrastructure, voter accessibility, and environmental sustainability for Pennsylvania.”
Also on Tuesday, Benninghoff launched his candidacy to represent the 171st District, which includes parts of Centre and Mifflin counties. He’s held the seat since being elected in 1996.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of Centre and Mifflin counties in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Benninghoff said. “I want to continue to be an advocate for our community and the values we hold dear.”
A press release from Benninghoff’s campaign states he has fought to keep state spending low, opposed broad based tax increases, invested in students, voted to advance pro-life legislation and fought for Second Amendment rights.
In 2020, he was elected to serve as majority leader and previously was the majority whip and for two terms was the House Majority Policy Committee chairman. He also previously served as chair of the House Majority Finance and State Government committees. He is the founder and former chair of the bipartisan Cancer Caucus.
Prior to his first election to the House in 1996, Benninghoff worked in construction and worked as a hospital orderly. Later, he served Centre County for two terms as county coroner.
Democrat Robert Zeigler, a Millheim Borough Council member, is running against Benninghoff for the 171st District seat in the House. Conklin is the only candidate to announce for the 77th House District so far.
The primary election is May 17 and general election is Nov. 8.
