Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko announced he will challenge Congressman Tom Marino (R-Lycoming) in next year’s Republican primary.  McLinko cites the opioid crisis and Marino’s role in a bill detailed by 60 Minutes that made the crisis worse as a main reason he is entering the race.

“We need public servants to step forward and help lead our country out of this mess, and the President needs conservatives he can count on to stand with him in the fight to drain the swamp,” McLinko said in a statement announcing his bid.  

In his announcement, McLinko went after Marino for his role in the “Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act” that according to 60 Minutes “undermined” the DEA.  

“Rather than standing up for his constituents who have been hit hard by this epidemic, Tom Marino made the opioid crisis worse. He solicited campaign contributions from big drug companies and then sponsored a bill that allowed them to flood our communities with opioids,” McLinko said in the announcement.  

“I’m a loyal Republican, but after watching the 60 Minutes report and hearing from families across the district, it is obvious Tom Marino puts the interests of campaign contributors ahead of the health and safety of his constituents.”

The 60 Minutes report caused Marino to withdraw his name from consideration from heading the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  

PoliticsPA has reached out to Marino’s campaign for comment on this story.