Billy O'Gurek, chairman of the Carbon County Democratic Committee, has announced that former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel will headline the annual Carbon County Democratic Committee Summer Picnic from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe.

Singel served as the 28th Pennsylvania lieutenant governor from 1987-94 under former Gov. Robert P. Casey. In 1993, while Casey and recovered from organ transplant surgery, Singel served as acting governor for seven months. Before being elected lieutenant governor, Singel was a state senator representing the Johnstown area of western Pennsylvania. He was the Democratic party's nominee for governor in 1994 and also served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1995-97.After his elective political career, Singel founded a government affairs consulting operation called The Winter Group, which is currently based out of Harrisburg.Other candidates expected at the annual picnic include state Sen. John Yudichak, candidate for state representative Patti Borger, and representatives of U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright's campaign.Tickets are $15 and are available from any member of the county Democratic Executive Committee.