PHILIPSBURG — State Rep. H. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, announced Monday that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for state Auditor General.

“I have always thought of myself as a hard working voice for working people and have served with the trust of those I represent in Harrisburg. Now, I believe is the time to use my voice for all Pennsylvanians by holding our government accountable,” Conklin said in a news release.

Conklin has represented the 77th legislative district in the state House since 2007. He said that be believes that his years of experience make him an excellent candidate for the role.

“I fully intend to leverage my decades of experience, with a clear and responsible fiscal focus, to continue fighting for the hardworking residents of Pennsylvania. With your help, we will elevate the voices and needs of all people in the face of an increasingly divisive political climate that distracts us from the duties that Auditor General is tasked with … which is ultimately ensuring that your tax dollars are spent responsibly and legally across the board and keeping a watchful eye on government funded programs to guarantee that resources are being managed efficiently and appropriately,” Conklin said on Twitter.

Conklin announced in December that he would run this year for an eighth term in the state House. He confirmed on Monday that he plans to appear on the ballot for both positions in the April 28 primary. In the House, Conklin represents State College, Philipsburg, Rush Township, Huston Township as well as parts of Patton Township and Ferguson Township.

Running for auditor general, Conklin looks to succeed Democrat Eugene DePasquale, who is in the final year of his second term. DePasquale is running for a U.S. House seat.

“I have served my community for over 20 years. I was chairman of the Centre County commissioners and in charge of balancing a $ 90 million budget, chairman of the salary board and served on the retirement board, employee benefits trust board and the board of assessment,” Conklin said in the release. “I brought that that experience to Harrisburg as a representative and earned a seat on the appropriations committee as a freshman. I want to leverage those decades of experience to help all Pennsylvanians,” Conklin said.

Conklin previously ran for statewide office in 2010, when he was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato. They lost in the general election to the Republican ticket of Tom Corbett and Jim Cawley, and Conklin won re-election to the House.