Friedenberg

A Centre County man is running for Congress, representing the 12th House seat.

Marc Friedenberg, a Democrat, said he is focused on four issues: health, jobs, education and the environment.

He said he’s also interested in making a difference in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

He called the drug issue a “national embarrassment” for U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-Cogan Station, whose House seat he is seeking to win.

Marino represents the 10th House seat but is seeking the Republican nomination for the 12th Congressional District, due to the proposed realignment of the state’s Congressional map.

Friedenberg said Marino, with his advocacy of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, has done more to worsen than help the drug problem.

“I have every reason to believe it will be the top issue on the campaign,” he said.

He called the attempt by Republicans to overturn the Affordable Care Act a “cruel and callous” act that would have left many people without health care.

He will push for a single-payer health care plan to provide coverage for all Americans — rich or poor, employed or jobless.

Friedenberg said he’s received positive feedback in his support for a single payer plan, including from Republicans.

“The Bernie Sanders campaign probably did a lot to push that into the mainstream,” he said. “It eliminates the middle man.”

Friedenberg said he is very much interested in funding for infrastructure projects. He’d like to bring broadband internet to rural counties that are without the high-speed service.

“This is my first campaign. I have not been terribly politically involved before,” he said.

Prior to the Congressional map realignment, Friedenberg had his sights set on capturing the 5th Congressional District.

“No matter where you live, you deserve a representative who will hold town-hall meetings and actually listen to your concerns. No matter who you are, you deserve a representative who will fight the opioid crisis, not one who created it,” he said. “Whether you live in the former 5th, 10th, or 11th Congressional District, I look forward to fighting for you in the 12th.”

Friedenberg is an instructor at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology and holds a law degree. He is married and the father two young daughters.