Culver to seek open state Senate seat

Dec. 1—SUNBURY — State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver will seek former state Sen. John Gordner's seat after the longtime senator resigned from his position early this week.

Culver, a lifelong Sunbury resident, announced she is seeking to represent the 27th State Senatorial District Wednesday morning.

Culver has represented the 108th State House District since she won her election in 2010, and then going on to win six times since.

Gordner (R-27) announced his resignation, which became effective Wednesday.

The 27th Senatorial District includes all of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties as well as a portion of Luzerne County.

"We all owe Sen. Gordner a debt of gratitude for his 30 years of dedicated service to our area and the commonwealth," Culver said. "It's been my privilege to serve with Sen. Gordner in Harrisburg and to partner with him on countless projects here in the Susquehanna Valley. I join many others in wishing Sen. Gordner well in his future endeavors."

Culver said she met with her family when she learned of Gordner's resignation to discuss the possibility of her seeking the seat.

Culver said the decision to seek the seat wasn't easy.

"And it had to be a quick decision," she said. "This position came up, and I don't take it lightly. I want to take the experience I have and expand it to a bigger reach and do great things for this Valley and the commonwealth."

She said she wants to put her experience to work by serving the greater Susquehanna Valley in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Culver said she wants to continue to build the Susquehanna Valley.

"I am a problem solver and I am committed to the future growth of our region and the commonwealth," she said. "We need to focus on growing the paychecks of Pennsylvanians and bringing down the cost of basic necessities, rather than increasing the size and reach of government or the influence of special interests. If elected, I will always put the residents of the 27th State Senatorial District first."

Prior to serving in the legislature, Culver served for more than twenty years as district office manager for former State Rep. Merle Phillips (R-108). In that role, she coordinated constituent service for local residents looking for support and assistance.

Culver was instrumental in securing funding for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway; sponsoring legislation to empower families and providing additional tools for law enforcement agencies to locate missing persons; and advocating for state funds for various local projects, including the recent announcement of $2 million to renovate and repurpose the former Sunbury Hospital.

In addition to her professional service, Culver is involved with many local community organizations including the Early Learning Investment Committee; Greater Susquehanna Valley and Central PA Chambers of Commerce; the Community Giving Foundation; Everyone's Playground Advisory Council; the United Way of Pennsylvania; Soroptimist International; and Sunbury Revitalization Inc. She also serves as an advisory board member for The Salvation Army of Sunbury.

Culver is a Shikellamy High School graduate and earned a degree in political science with a concentration in public administration from Bloomsburg University. She lives in Rockefeller Township, Northumberland County, with her husband Tom, son Joshua and their family dog Rooney. The Culvers are active members of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sunbury.

Upon hearing that Culver is running to fill the state senate 17th District seat, Montour County Commissioner Ken Holdren said, "I'm excited. She would be an excellent senatorial candidate, seeing as how hard she works for constituents. I"d love to see her in that expanded role for the citizens of this region.