Democratic State Sen. Marty Flynn did not rule out a potential 2026 Congressional run after a local nonprofit founder announced Thursday his plans to enter next year’s Democratic primary for Flynn’s state Senate seat.
“Well you never know,” Flynn, 50, said when asked if he’s considering entering the Democratic primary field for the 8th Congressional District seat currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan. “We’ll see.”
That primary field already includes Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and self-described “pro-life Democrat” Francis McHale of Scranton, both of whom seek the Democratic nomination and hope to defeat Bresnahan in the 2026 midterm elections. Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, who would be up for reelection next year should he seek another term representing the 22nd state Senate District, said he doesn’t run for two things at the same time.
“I always keep my options open,” he said. “Time will tell.”
The newspaper asked Flynn about his plans after Democrat Jeffrey Lake, 35, announced his 2026 candidacy for state Senate in the 22nd District. Lake, a Scranton native and Clarks Summit resident who considers himself a progressive Democrat, “has worked as a practical nurse, outpatient therapist, and founded a local community mental health nonprofit, The Lake Foundation,” his announcement notes.
Democrat Jeffrey Lake announced Thursday plans to run for state Senate in the 22nd state Senate District next year. (Photo Courtesy of Jeffry Lake)
The foundation “serves to strengthen the mental health literacy of Northeastern Pennsylvania by providing public education, community advocacy, and promoting overall psychological well-being,” per its website.
Flynn, a former state representative for the 113th state House District, won a 2021 special election to finish the unexpired term of former state Sen. John Blake, who resigned. Flynn did not face a primary challenger in 2022 and won a full four-year state Senate term that November by comfortably defeating Republican Tom Bassett of Pittston.
Asked about Lake’s announcement, Flynn said “good for him.”
“I’d put my record up against anybody’s,” Flynn said.
Lake, seeking elected office for the first time, outlined a number of goals, including making life in Northeast Pennsylvania more affordable, increasing the region’s supply of affordable housing and expanding access to mental health services.
“My lived experience is what really gets me to this point,” Lake said. “I grew up relying on public benefits. My family depended on food assistance and public health care. We lived in public housing … so I’ve seen every aspect of what our community deals with.”
He’s also generally opposed to artificial intelligence data center development, citing concerns about their impact on the environment, electricity prices and residents’ quality of life.
Pennsylvania’s 22nd state Senate District includes parts of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. The 2026 primary election is scheduled for May 19.