Patty Kim launches campaign for Pennsylvania Senate

State Rep. Patty Kim announced that she is running for the Pennsylvania Senate. Redistricting made the seat easier for Democrats to pick up in their hopes of flipping the chamber. 

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) announced on Thursday that she is challenging State Sen. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) in Pennsylvania’s 15th Senate District. The district is an important seat if Democrats want to flip the upper chamber in 2024. 

“I am so energized by the opportunity to represent even more citizens and families in this community,” Kim said in a statement. 

Kim’s public service began in 2006 when she became a Harrisburg City Council member. She was elected to the Pennsylvania House in 2012, and has supported raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour throughout her time in the House. 

It’s not known if DiSanto, who served two terms in the chamber, will run for reelection. 

The district went from being a 49-47 Trump district to a 57-42 Biden district following redistricting last year. The district used to contain most of rural Perry County before the lines were redrawn.   

“Senator DiSanto has failed us with his eight years of low energy, a narrow mind, and no good ideas,” Kim said. “It’s time for Dauphin County to have an energetic champion, and I promise you that’s what I’ll be for all families of this district. This community knows who I am and they’ve seen how I fight for them.”

Kim has the support of Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), and most of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She also has the support of her colleagues State Reps. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin) and Justin Flemming (D-Dauphin) and local unions such as AFSCME Council 13, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, and the Central Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades.

Kim stated that she will not run for reelection for her House seat.