Marc Friedenberg

Marc Friedenberg, a Democrat from the State College area, is seeking his party’s nomination to the 12th Congressional District.

His second shot at Congress is open with the resignation of U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-Cogan Station, announced on Thursday and effective Jan. 23. Marino, 66, defeated Friedenberg in the last general election with 66 percent of the vote.

Friedenberg’s test will be to pass the state Democratic Committee, which selects a nominee.

Then, Gov. Tom Wolf calls for a special election to fill the seat.

Wolf will do that 10 days after Marino’s resignation. The election takes place at least 60 days afterward, putting it between late March and May.

Early indication is Friedenberg has the same supporters as before, especially millenials.

More than 100 young adults and others recently signed up to volunteer on his campaign, he said.

Younger voters are looking at issues of college affordability, student debt and climate change, he said.

“They are the first generation in awhile that doesn’t expect to be better off than their parents.”

Health care remains the biggest issue facing most people, Friedenberg said, observing how Marino claimed to support insurance for those with pre-existing conditions, but voted

repeatedly to repeal ObamaCare, which would leave those people without coverage.

Affordable health care is vital for individuals trying to start businesses and elderly who rely on Medicare and Medicaid, he said.

Friedenberg also offered a statement on the ongoing government shutdown.

“We need to get the government back open and try to make a more fair trading system for the farmers, but not get into destructive trade wars,” he said.

Some locations in the district fare worse in terms of technology.

State College, for example, has the schools, hospitals and technology at people’s fingertips, while broadband expansion is a critical need for under-served rural areas, including parts of Lycoming County.

“Susquehanna County has among the worst broadband rates in the state,” he said.

An instructor of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, Friedenberg said constituents deserve a representative in Congress “who will show up for you,” a slight against Marino, who, he said, often skipped public appearances.

“You deserve a representative who will fight for your jobs, your health care, your kids’ education, and our environment,” he said. “I am committed to being that representative for you, and never quitting when the going gets tough.”