Centre County League of Women Voters to Host 2026 Candidates’ Night

Candidates in four state and federal races will have an opportunity to answer questions from Central Pennsylvania voters during the League of Women Voters of Centre County’s 2026 General Election Candidates’ Night later this month. 

The nonpartisan forum will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the State College Borough Council Chambers at 243 S. Allen St. The event comes about five weeks before Pennsylvania’s general election on Nov. 3. 

Candidates from three Pennsylvania House districts representing Centre County and the 15th Congressional District have been invited to participate. 

The races include incumbent Democrat Scott Conklin and Republican Michelle Schellberg in the 77th Legislative District, incumbent Democrat Paul Takac and Republican Kirsten McTernan in the 82nd District, Republican incumbent Kerry Benninghoff and Democrat John Zangari in the 171st District and Republican incumbent Glenn Thompson and Democrat Ray Bilger in the 15th Congressional District. 

The League has confirmed attendance from all of the invited candidates except Thompson, who declined, and Schellberg, who had not responded as of the announcement. The organization said it will post updates to its website if attendance changes. 

“We always hope for a full slate if candidates’ schedules allow. Voters benefit from hearing from all possible choices,” Kathleen O’Connell, president of the League of Women Voters of Centre County, said. 

Each candidate will have 60 seconds to respond to each of six questions. The order in which candidates answer will rotate throughout the forum, and each candidate will have 90 seconds for a closing statement. 

The questions will be developed from community input and current issues. Candidates will not receive the questions before the event. 

Residents can submit questions through Sept. 29 by emailing the League at lwvcentrecounty@gmail.com or through the organization’s website. Questions also can be submitted in person during the event. 

“In this confusing time of 24-hour news, social media and negative advertising, our League provides a space for civil conversations with real people at our Candidates’ Nights,” Susan Werner, the League’s Candidates’ Night chair, said. 

The forum will be livestreamed and archived by CNET and later posted to the League’s website. The League’s website also maintains an archive of previous Candidates’ Night forums, with CNET hosting recordings dating back to 2022. 

Pennsylvania’s general election is Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Voters must register by Oct. 19, while applications for mail-in or absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 27. 

The League of Women Voters of Centre County also provides voter information and voter guides through its website and Vote411, where voters can check what will appear on their ballot and find candidate information.