It’s been a while since an Erie County resident ran for a statewide office ― and won.
In fact, the last person to do so was former Gov. Tom Ridge, who won the governorship back in 1995.
But Democratic state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro hopes to defy the odds this year.
In addition to seeking a seventh two-year term in the 3rd legislative district, which covers Millcreek and Fairview townships, Bizzarro, 38, of Millcreek Township, is running to be the next state treasurer .
The challenges are plenty, he acknowledged in an interview with the Erie Times-News.
But, as he added, confronting challenges is nothing new to him.
“There were a lot of challenges when I first ran for House leadership,” he said, referring to his successful election as House Democratic Policy Committee chairman for the 2021-22 legislative session.
“I’m from the smallest delegation (the House Democrats’ Northwest Delegation ) that we have in the Democratic caucus. So, when I ran for House leadership, I had to bank on years of relationships and working my members in order to get elected. That’s defying the odds. And that’s the sort of mindset I went into with this run for treasurer.”