Centre County Commissioner Scott Conklin announced his plan to run for state representative of the 77th District yesterday at the Willowbank Building in Bellefonte.

Conklin is the first Democratic candidate to formally announce his intention to run.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, has confirmed his intention to run for re-election for the Republican nomination in the May 16 primary, Centre County Republican Party Chairman G.T. Thompson said.

Herman will run against Republicans Ken Bailey and Matt Shaner in the primary race for the seat.

The 77th District includes the Centre County municipalities of Ferguson, Halfmoon, Taylor, Patton, Worth, Huston and Rush townships, and the boroughs of Philipsburg, Port Matilda, South Philipsburg and most of State College.

As commissioner for two terms, Conklin said he is fortunate to work with Penn State and is glad to have the university in his county.

As a father with a son in college, Conklin said he wants to help keep education and housing affordable and to make Pennsylvania economically sound enough to provide jobs for students in the career they have chosen.

If elected, Conklin added that he intends to make sure that student funding is available. "I would not vote for an increase in the interest rate on student loans," he said.

Conklin said he also wants to ensure that there are no cuts in public transportation so students can live off campus in affordable apartments.

He said his campaign focuses on accountability and accessibility, particularly in the way business is done in Harrisburg. "It's time for the people to take this state back," he said.

As Centre County commissioner, Conklin is required to make all agenda items available to the public at least 24 hours in advance of meetings so that people can comment. No such policy is in place in Harrisburg, which results in limited to no accountability, Conklin said. "This is the electronic age," he said. "There should be no closed doors."

Centre County commissioners' Chairman Chris Exarchos said his working relationship with Conklin has always been civil and engaging.

"He is hard-working and ambitious," he said.

Republican candidate Bailey said he thinks Conklin will do a better job than Herman. "I don't know who will win, but I know Lynn Herman will lose," he said.