Zach Womer drops Democratic primary bid against state Rep. Scott Conklin
State Rep. Scott Conklin will more than likely be unopposed in his primary election bid after his lone Democratic challenger dropped out of the race Thursday morning.
Philipsburg resident Zach Womer announced his decision in a Facebook post, writing that he’d reconsidered his candidacy in a high-stakes election year.
“Public service is never about one person. It is about doing the work and building the coalition needed to deliver for working people,” Womer wrote. “At the end of the day, this moment is bigger than any one of us. And if we stay focused and organized, I truly believe Pennsylvania Democrats can meet it.”
The withdrawal comes one day after Conklin secured enough signatures to appear on the ballot. Womer declined to comment beyond his Facebook post.
Womer’s campaign was practically radio silent after he announced it in July. A spoof Womer campaign website that redirected to Conklin’s own campaign site made minor ripples in Centre County’s political community earlier this month (the site now displays an image of the candidates endorsed by the Centre County Democratic Party, including Conklin).
The bid for Pennsylvania’s 77th House District was Womer’s third for public office. He lost in a landslide against U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson in the 2024 election, then briefly ran for Philipsburg mayor. Womer also stood for election to a seat on the Philipsburg borough council last year, losing the tied race in a dice roll to Republican Brett Stewart.
Conklin, of Rush Township, is running for his 11th term representing western Centre County in the state house. He also serves as treasurer of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
Conklin did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
