WILKES-BARRE — Incumbent state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp. clashed on data centers but agreed on several other issues during a debate Wednesday at Wilkes University.
Flynn, a former state representative for the 113th House District, has represented the 22nd Senate District since winning a special election for the seat in 2021. He did not face a primary challenger in 2022 and won a full four-year term that November by defeating Republican Tom Bassett of Pittston with more than 60% of the vote.
Soltis Sparano, a retired pharmacist, said she got into the Senate race mainly to oppose the proliferation of data centers in the region.
The debate was hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area and held at the Stark Learning Center.
Regarding their positions on the siting, construction and regulation of data centers, Flynn noted he had co-sponsored a bill supporting data center development but removed his support once he learned the bill would take away local control.
“I think local control should never be given up. There was a bill that I was co-sponsoring that the devil was in the details and actually took away local control for municipalities and the areas to deny data centers if they met those regulations” in the bill, Flynn said. “That’s something that I do not support. I’m not on the bill anymore. Once I found that out, I got off of it (as a co-sponsor). I do not agree with that and I don’t think that we should give rebates to big data centers. They should bring their own energy and pay their own way.”
Soltis Sparano cited data centers as “my reason for entering the race” against Flynn and claimed he’s doing a “stand-down” on data centers and not doing enough to stop them.
“The data center issue is outrageous. These are monstrosities that have moved into our area and invaded our area, and I can tell you for sure that there is legislation there, there is case law that can stop it,” Soltis Sparano said. “It is intentionally not being stopped … these issues could be addressed and they’re not.”
Another question asked if the candidates received any campaign contributions from data centers or anti-data center groups.
Soltis Sparano said she has not received any contributions from data centers and “the only campaign contributions I’ve accepted, which are minimal, are from some people like-minded like me against data centers,” and those amounts were minimal, around $100 or $200.
Flynn said he also has not accepted contributions from any data center developers, adding, “There are people who donated to me that were selling land to developers, but I don’t know who sells their land to build a data center. I have no part of anything like that.”
The candidates generally agreed on issues of marijuana and skill games, in terms of allowing and legalizing them but taxing them; on limiting cellphone use by children in schools; requiring the Legislature to stay in session until an annual state budget is adopted; and allowing voters registered as independents to vote in primary elections.
Flynn and Soltis Sparano also agreed that charter schools have a role in education but need more accountability.
“They have a place in education, but should be held to the same standards as public schools,” Soltis Sparano said.
Flynn quipped to her, “Now you sound like a Democrat.” He continued that he could see a place for charter schools but their system — and particularly cyber charter schools — have been set up “to siphon money away from our public schools. That’s something I don’t support,” and fixing that is a top priority of his.
The candidates also fielded several other questions.
The district includes the Luzerne County municipalities of Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Hughestown, Jenkins Twp., Laflin, Laurel Run, Pittston, Pittston Twp., West Pittston, Plains Twp., Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Twp., Wyoming and Yatesville; and in Lackawanna County: Benton Twp., Clarks Green, Clarks Summit, Dalton, Dickson City, Dunmore, Glenburn Twp., Greenfield Twp., La Plume Twp., Moosic, Newton Twp., North Abington Twp., Old Forge, Ransom Twp., Scott Twp., Scranton, South Abington Twp., Taylor, Throop, Waverly Twp. and West Abington Twp.
State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, seated at left, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp.,, seated to Flynn’s left, before their debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026, at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center. Standing from left are LWV of WB Area President Laine Little and debate moderator Dr. Michael Little of King’s College. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, seated at left, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp., seated center, during their debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre area on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026, at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center. The moderator, Dr. Michael Little from King’s College, is standing at the podium. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, seated at left, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp., seated center, during their debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre area on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026, at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center. The moderator, Dr. Michael Little from King’s College, is standing at the podium. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, seated at left at the table in the background, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp., seated to Flynn’s left, during their debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre area on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026, at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
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State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, seated at left, and Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 election Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp.,, seated to Flynn’s left, before their debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026, at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center. Standing from left are LWV of WB Area President Laine Little and debate moderator Dr. Michael Little of King’s College. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)