Rep. Scott Conklin is thinking about a run for Pennsylvania’s most important political job. His Chief of Staff, Tor Michaels, said Conklin’s thinking carefully about a run for governor.
Conklin (D-Centre) was the democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in the 2010 gubernatorial election. He was on the ticket with Penn State alumnus Dan Onorato who was defeated by then-Attorney General Tom Corbett.
“He’s just weighing the possibility right now, talking it over with his family,” Michaels said. Conklin will have to make his decision before nominating petitions need to be turned in, early next year.
According to Michaels, Conklin, “Was so well received on the campaign trail and made so many wonderful friends that many of them have reached out and asked him to consider the top job.”
Michaels said the Centre County representative could be a valuable voice in next year’s gubernatorial election. Conklin would reportedly run as a candidate committed to reforming state government. Michaels says Conklin wants to help the state move forward on the issues facing Centre County and the Penn State community.
“Clearly, people are frustrated,” Michaels said. “They want a responsive government. Rep. Conklin is a voice from the people. He is the choice of those in the inner circle and he is the choice of the person who is waiting tables, he is the voice of the person who is a nurse or a sanitation worker or a janitor, and these folks have been left out for too long.”
“There are a lot of great, great ideas he could bring to the table, with reform being a key element.”
Conklin was not available for comment.
