Former Erie County Democratic Party chairman Jim Wertz formally announced his candidacy for 49th district Pennsylvania State Senate.

Supporters on Tuesday joined Wertz at Ember + Forge coffee shop in downtown Erie where he made the announcement.

He is running against incumbent Republican Dan Laughlin, who was first elected in 2016.

Wertz resigned as chairman of Erie Dems after the November general election. He was first elected to the position in 2018 and has worked with multiple political candidates and campaigns since them.

Wertz, who is from Reading, has lived in Erie County for 25 years after coming to the area to attend Edinboro University.

He has taught journalism and digital media at Edinboro University since 2005 and held a variety of leadership roles with the faculty union and university administration.