Business owner and former emergency responder Brian Wrightson of Lackawanna County on Thursday announced his candidacy to run in the 2026 Democratic primary for state Senate in the 40th District, currently held by incumbent Republican Sen. Rosemary Brown of Monroe County.

With a population of about 256,700, the 40th Senatorial District includes all of Monroe County; parts of Lackawanna County — the city of Carbondale, the townships of Carbondale, Clifton, Covington, Elmhurst, Fell, Jefferson, Madison, Roaring Brook, Spring Brook and Thornhurst, and the boroughs of Archbald, Blakely, Jermyn, Jessup, Mayfield, Moscow, Olyphant and Vandling; and parts of Wayne County — the townships of Canaan, Cherry Ridge, Dreher, Lake, Lehigh, Salem, South Canaan, Sterling and Texas, and the boroughs of Honesdale, Prompton and Waymart.

Brown, of Middle Smithfield Twp. in Monroe County, won election to the Senate in 2022. At that time, former Republican state Sen. Mario Scavello’s departure upon retirement left open the seat in a starkly redrawn 40th District. Because of that reapportionment, the 40th included for the first time parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties.

In 2022, Brown, who was a state representative in the 189th District, defeated Democrat Jennifer Shukaitis, a Stroud Twp. supervisor, for a four-year state Senate term to succeed Scavello in a redrawn 40th Senatorial District.

Wrightson, a former director of emergency services for the American Red Cross, owns and operates Fire Tower Communications and manages Icon Tech, a firm involved in broadband expansion and communications infrastructure improvements across rural communities in Monroe, Lackawanna and Wayne counties, according to his campaign announcement.

Wrightson’s campaign will focus on affordability, health care access, transportation and broadband expansion. His endorsements include former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, and numerous current and former Democratic state and municipal officials in Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne counties, and beyond.

The primary election will be held on May 19. The window for prospective candidates seeking spots on Democratic or Republican primary ballots to circulate and file nomination petitions opens Feb. 17 and runs through March 10.

The winners in primaries will advance to run in the Nov. 3 general election.

 

Pennsylvania's 40th Snatorial District includes all of Monroe County and parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties. (IMAGE COPIED FROM DISTRICT WEBSITE OF STATE SEN. ROSEMARY BROWN, R-40.)Pennsylvania’s 40th Snatorial District includes all of Monroe County and parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties. (IMAGE COPIED FROM DISTRICT WEBSITE OF STATE SEN. ROSEMARY BROWN, R-40.)
State Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-40, Middle Smithfield Twp. intends to introduce legislation that will adjust how school districts are required to fund charter schools across Northeast Pennsylvania. (Senate Republican Communications Office / Submitted)State Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-40, Middle Smithfield Twp. intends to introduce legislation that will adjust how school districts are required to fund charter schools across Northeast Pennsylvania. (Senate Republican Communications Office / Submitted)

 

Brian Wrightson, candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary election for the Pennsylvania Senate 40th District. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF BRIAN WRIGHTSON CAMPAIGN)Brian Wrightson, candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary election for the Pennsylvania Senate 40th District. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF BRIAN WRIGHTSON CAMPAIGN)
Brian Wrightson, candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary election for the Pennsylvania Senate 40th District. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF BRIAN WRIGHTSON CAMPAIGN)Brian Wrightson, candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary election for the Pennsylvania Senate 40th District. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF BRIAN WRIGHTSON CAMPAIGN)