via Williamsport Sun-Gazette, written by Mike Reuther

Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor and Congress appeared before party supporters to state why they are the best persons to hold elected offices.

Brian Sims told those gathered at the Lycoming County Young Democrats headquarters that his experience makes him most qualified to be lieutenant governor.

Amanda Waldman, seeking the 9th House seat, said she is “unbossed, unbought and unapologetic.”

Sims, who claims to be the first openly gay member of the state Legislature, said the job of lieutenant governor involves serving as chair of the board of pardons as a member of the emergency management council and as president of the Senate.

He said he’s more than qualified to oversee these duties.

“This job is important,” he said. “It’s not ceremonial.”

Overseeing the Senate, he noted, means controlling the room and ensuring legislation occurs.

Sims noted his background as an attorney and an advocate for civil rights, including for the LGBTQ+ community.

The state, he said, needs leadership.

“Everything I have fought for is on the line right now,” he said. “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you are probably on the menu.”

He told fellow Democrats that much work remains to be done.

“My ask to you, is to speak up and speak out,” he said.

Waldman, a financial representative in the Medicare industry, said she wants to serve in Congress to serve the people.

She said she is unsure of what particular policies and bills she’ll be behind but will know once she’s in office.

“I will vote on every bill based on what people need,” she said. “What matters here is people, not party.”

Waldman said people want to be heard, and that means having civil discourse.

“I will support any bill that expands voting rights, that allows people to be who they are,” she said.

Waldman said she is also in favor of bringing good-paying jobs to the area.

“I’m going to support what supports you, that lifts all of us up together. No one owns me but me. You will be my boss and I will serve you.”

AMANDA WALDMAN

Also briefly speaking was Rob Lynn, who is seeking the open 83rd state House seat on the Democratic ticket.

Lynn said he is in the process of gathering the necessary signatures for getting on the primary ballot.

He said he decided about two weeks ago to run for the seat being vacated by Republican Jeff Wheeland.