The race for Pennsylvania’s 22nd Senatorial District heats up as state Sen. Marty Flynn and newcomer Jeffrey Lake clash
SCRANTON, Pa. — An incumbent state senator in Northeast Pennsylvania is facing a challenge in race that has come to be dominated by an explosion of proposed data center development.
Democratic state Sen. Marty Flynn wants a second full term representing the state’s 22nd Senatorial District. The district covers parts of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, including Scranton, Dunmore, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston.
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Opposing him is newcomer Jeffrey Lake, a Clarks Summit mental health professional and founder of the nonprofit Lake Foundation, which seeks to strengthen local mental health literacy.
At the forefront of the race is the rush by developers to propose and introduce data centers throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. The proposals, meant to spur on the development of artificial intelligence, have drawn the ire of residents because of their expected impact on neighborhoods.
Data centers were front-and-center during a debate between Flynn and Lake earlier this month at the University of Scranton.
“”It’s been my stand that a three-year moratorium is necessary,” said Lake. “I’ve been anti-data center since day one. I’ve never changed on that.”
Flynn, who said he opposes development in neighborhoods, was more skeptical on a moratorium.
“When you have a moratorium, all the ones that are applied for already, they’re all going to be licensed,” Flynn said. “Every data center that’s applied for, that has an application in now, gets approved. A moratorium doesn’t stop them.”
Whoever wins will face Republican Sharon Soltis, who is unopposed in the primary.