A Penn State professor has announced his intention to run for Congress.
Marc Friedenberg is seeking the Democratic nod for the 5th Congressional District, the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.
In his announcement for candidacy, Friedenberg, an educator and lawyer, is “focused on fighting for a fair future in the district,” his announcement stated. “He is eager to listen to and work with the people in the 5th Congressional District, and will be conducting a listening tour through each county.”
His listening tour begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 in Franklin.
Friedenberg said he values the ideas of the voters. According to his announcement, Friedenberg “knows that this position directly impacts the lives of many in our community. For too long, they have put more into Washington than they’ve gotten out of it; Marc will fight to make sure that district residents, and not Washington interests, will be the ones to decide their future.”
He said, “We need to do a better job of helping businesses reach the many smart, hard-working people throughout our district. We have outstanding universities, natural resources, and communities across central and western Pennsylvania, but the opportunity to succeed economically has been concentrated in just a few small areas, with many of us left behind.”
He is calling for equal opportunities for all to get an education, job and healthcare.
Friedenberg stated that he “will improve the future of the 5th Congressional District through connecting the resources this district already has and listening to the hard-working people in this area.”
Friedenberg and his wife Becky are parents of two young girls, Claire and Molly. He graduated from Penn State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information sciences and technology and received a law degree from Columbia Law School.
He is an assistant teaching professor of information sciences and technology.
Thompson has served the 5th Congressional District since 2009. He has twice defeated challenges from Democratic candidate Kerith Strano Taylor.
Thompson is a resident of Howard Township, Centre County, and a graduate of Penn State and Temple universities. He and his wife, Penny, live in Howard Township and have three adult sons, Parker, Logan and Kale.
