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<\/p>\nWILKES-BARRE \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Soltis Sparano, a retired pharmacist, said she got into the Senate race mainly to oppose the proliferation of data centers in the region.<\/p>\n
The debate was hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area and held at the Stark Learning Center.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u201d in the bill, Flynn said. \u201cThat\u2019s something that I do not support. I\u2019m 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\u2019t think that we should give rebates to big data centers. They should bring their own energy and pay their own way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soltis Sparano cited data centers as \u201cmy reason for entering the race\u201d against Flynn and claimed he\u2019s doing a \u201cstand-down\u201d on data centers and not doing enough to stop them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Soltis Sparano said. \u201cIt is intentionally not being stopped \u2026 these issues could be addressed and they\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another question asked if the candidates received any campaign contributions from data centers or anti-data center groups.<\/p>\n
Soltis Sparano said she has not received any contributions from data centers and \u201cthe only campaign contributions I\u2019ve accepted, which are minimal, are from some people like-minded like me against data centers,\u201d and those amounts were minimal, around $100 or $200.<\/p>\n
Flynn said he also has not accepted contributions from any data center developers, adding, \u201cThere are people who donated to me that were selling land to developers, but I don\u2019t know who sells their land to build a data center. I have no part of anything like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Flynn and Soltis Sparano also agreed that charter schools have a role in education but need more accountability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a place in education, but should be held to the same standards as public schools,\u201d Soltis Sparano said.<\/p>\n
Flynn quipped to her, \u201cNow you sound like a Democrat.\u201d He continued that he could see a place for charter schools but their system \u2014 and particularly cyber charter schools \u2014 have been set up \u201cto siphon money away from our public schools. That\u2019s something I don\u2019t support,\u201d and fixing that is a top priority of his.<\/p>\n
The candidates also fielded several other questions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s 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\u2019s Stark Learning Center. Standing from left are LWV of WB Area President Laine Little and debate moderator Dr. Michael Little of King\u2019s College. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n
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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 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\u2019s Stark Learning Center. The moderator, Dr. Michael Little from King\u2019s College, is standing at the podium. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n
![\"State](\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/STT-L-DEBATE-1016_2.jpeg?w=620\")
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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 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\u2019s Stark Learning Center. The moderator, Dr. Michael Little from King\u2019s College, is standing at the podium. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n
![\"State](\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/STT-L-DEBATE-1016_3.jpeg?w=620\")
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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\u2019s 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\u2019s Stark Learning Center. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n
Show Caption<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s 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\u2019s Stark Learning Center. Standing from left are LWV of WB Area President Laine Little and debate moderator Dr. Michael Little of King\u2019s College. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n