The more the merrier?

A sixth candidate has formally announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District.

Blake Lynch, who just left his post as a senior executive with WITF, launched his campaign today in a quest to unseat Rep. Scott Perry (R-Dauphin/Cumberland/York) in the capital-region seat that includes Dauphin and parts of Cumberland and York counties.

The 35-year-old resident of suburban Harrisburg stressed the importance of being a resident of Dauphin County since birth.

“As a lifelong Central Pennsylvania resident, I know firsthand the challenges facing my neighbors from Harrisburg to Carlisle to York,” said Lynch in his kickoff announcement. “I know that regardless of what neighborhood you live in, people want safe streets, good schools and good-paying jobs. And they expect their government to work for them and their democracy – and not against it.

“That is why I am proud to announce that I am running for Congress to represent the very community that helped raise me. Central Pennsylvania residents deserve a representative in Washington who will roll up their sleeves and go to work for them – building bridges instead of creating division. And that’s just what I will do starting on day one as your congressman.”

Lynch joined the Harrisburg Bureau of Police as the first Director of Community Relations, where he helped build a bridge between police and the communities they serve.

His highest public profile has been as a community policing liaison and later as Director of Community Relations and Engagement for the City of Harrisburg (2018-21).

For the last two years, Lynch has worked as Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer of WITF Public Media, Central PA’s PBS and NPR affiliate serving over 2.3 million listeners and viewers each month, where he led the organization’s overall strategy and engagement on fundraising; government and community relations; and sales and marketing.

City & State has included Lynch among its “Most Influential Black Leaders in Pennsylvania” and his roots in the city of Harrisburg could be beneficial.

“Blake Lynch is exactly the kind of leader we need representing us in Washington,” said Ciera Dent, mayor of Steelton. “He understands the needs of Central Pennsylvanians because it is what he has lived his whole life. He is a product of this area and I could not be more proud to stand with him as he runs to replace Scott Perry.”

Lynch joins Shamaine Daniels, Rick Coplen, Mike O’Brien, Janelle Stelson and Bob Forbes in the race for the Democratic nomination.