HARRISBURG — Six Democrats who plan to run for lieutenant governor were set to debate at a gathering of liberal activists.

The Saturday debate was to be at the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit in Harrisburg. It was scheduled to draw Philadelphia state Sen. Michael Stack, Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith, former U.S. Rep. Mark Critz of Johnstown, Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski, former Harrisburg parks and recreation director Brenda Alton and Jay Paterno, the son of the late Penn State football coach.

Not expected to participate were Democratic state Rep. Brandon Neuman of Allegheny County and the sitting lieutenant governor, Republican Jim Cawley. At the Feb. 8 meeting of the Democratic State Committee, Koplinski won the most votes, but he fell short of the two-thirds majority necessary to win an endorsement.