State College Borough Councilwoman Jean McManis may announce plans to run for the 77th district seat in the state House of Representatives when she speaks at a news conference in the municipal building's Council Chamber this morning.

The only information the first-term councilwoman would provide yesterday is that the conference, scheduled for 11:15 a.m., should last until about noon.

"I really am not commenting. Everybody has been asking me, and has been quite courteous -- I guess it's one of those professional things," McManis said.

According to a statement she released Monday, McManis "will make an announcement concerning the upcoming election of a Representative from the 77th District to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives."

If she runs, McManis, a Democrat, will be challenging four-term incumbent Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, a Philipsburg native.

"I will be a candidate for re-election," Herman said when asked about the upcoming election. "I am definitely a candidate for the 77th district seat of the House of Representatives."

McManis' running would have little effect on the council unless she is elected, said Councilman R. Thomas Berner.

"I think it's premature to talk about the spot opening up, because Mrs. McManis hasn't been elected yet. I'm assuming she would not resign her position on the council," Berner said. He did not know if McManis is planning to run for the seat.

The election is Nov. 6.

Both Centre and Clearfield counties are covered by the 77th district, including State College, Philipsburg, Chester Hill and Osceola Mills.

McManis has held her seat on the council -- her first political office -- since 1987. Formerly Penn State's director of publications for 27 years, McManis is a 30 year veteran of the State College area.

McManis is the second Centre County official to announce plans to try for a seat. Centre County Commissioner Vicki Bumbarger announced in December that she is running for the Republican nomination for the 76th state house district seat to replace Rep. Russell Letterman, who, according to a Jan. 17 release, said he will not run for re-election.