Pa. Rep. Marty Flynn apologizes for Facebook post appearing to attack local businesses

Gov. Tom Wolf reacted to a kerfuffle Monday that arose over a weekend Facebook post made by a state representative from northeastern Pennsylvania. 

On Saturday night, state Rep. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, posted on his personal Facebook page, “Keep talking about how bad we Democrats are and WE will STOP supporting YOUR businesses! You want to make it PERSONAL and we WILL!”

The post was preserved with a screenshot and shared on social media. A local television station, FOX-56 TV, picked up the story and first reported it. 

Flynn later deleted the post and then apologized, writing: “Earlier tonight I posted on my personal page a reaction to three business owners that basically shared the same meme about how Democrats are “evil” to which I responded negatively, implying that we shouldn’t support (patronize) them. This was juvenile taking anyone’s political criticism, no matter how low, personal. 

“Even though I was venting about three people and my result of offending more people is well deserved. I’m SORRY and I should have been more thoughtful .”

During a virtual news briefing on Monday, Wolf said, “He apologized. Rep. Flynn has worked hard to keep their constituents safe – and I think he deserves credit for that.”

Tom Borthwick, a former Scranton School District director, backed up Wolf’s comment. 

“In my time on the school board, nobody on the state level fought harder than Marty Flynn,” Borthwick said. “If I picked up the phone with an issue, he answered and immediately went to work. The district wouldn’t have survived this long without the funding he helped secure.”

Flynn, who has been a member of state house since 2012, could not be reached for comment Monday morning. 

He is often active on Facebook, explaining and defending his positions to critics and supporters alike.