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In what he joked was the worst-kept secret in local Pennsylvania politics since Josh Shapiro announced he was running for governor, former WITF executive Blake Lynch confirmed in an interview with the Capital-Star on Tuesday that hes joining the growing field of Democratic candidates seeking to oppose U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District).

Scott Perry is not reflective of the community any longer, hes been fighting culture wars, Lynch said. I spent my career building bridges and establishing trust and grassroots coalitions to move the community forward.

Perry, he added, has been focused on issues that no one sees as progress but everyone sees as holding us back, like holding up former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthys election in January, restricting abortion rights, and nearly shutting down the government, Lynch said.

Lynch sees several issues hed want to tackle if elected to Congress. People in the district want better schools, were hardworking taxpayers here, and there is no reason why our schools need to go without in so many areas, he said. Everyone wants lower everyday costs because inflation is a real thing right now.

People in central Pennsylvania care about and understand what their members of Congress can do to affect quality of life issues, he added. They understand that bringing more funding back to local municipalities and townships means we can fix the potholes. These are things that are important, and that Perry hasnt been doing.

Lynch grew up in Steelton public housing in a single-parent household, after his father died suddenly when Lynch was 3 years old. He says the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisburg helped shape him, and he later returned to become the organizations director of development.

He also served as director of community relations and engagement for the City of Harrisburg, where he was liaison between the citys police department and the community. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lynch worked with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to organize a food drive in Harrisburg.

His most recent role was as senior vice president and chief impact officer of WITF Public Media, where he led strategy and engagement on fundraising, government and community relations, and sales and marketing.

He and his wife Bryttani have two boys and live in Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County.

Every single one of the jobs Ive held in my career, including my first minimum wage job at Wendys has been located here in central Pennsylvania, in the 10th Congressional district, Lynch said. We live here, our children attend local schools here in the district. So were all in and understand the issues that are going on and what people want, and the struggles theyre going through. I believe I can bring that understanding to this race, and really stand out with regards to my resume and track record of uplifting and serving the community.

The field of Democrats seeking to challenge Perry continues to grow; in addition to Lynch, it includes former WGAL-TV anchor Janelle Stelson; retired Marine Mike OBrien; Harrisburg City Councilor Shamaine Daniels, who is running her second campaign to try to unseat Perry; Carlisle school board member and Army veteran Rick Coplen, and retired Army sergeant Bob Forbes.

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Former WITF executive Blake Lynch launches bid for Congress ... - Pennsylvania Capital-Star