House Democrats, Republicans clash over special election dates

GOP Speaker Mike Turzai scheduled the elections to be held less than a month before the primary. Democratic leaders think that’s needlessly confusing.

• Katie Meyer
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Katie Meyer was WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief from 2016-2020. While at WITF, she covered all things state politics for public radio stations throughout Pennsylvania. Katie came to Harrisburg by way of New York City, where she worked at Fordham University’s public radio station, WFUV, as an anchor, general assignment reporter, and co-host of an original podcast. A 2016 graduate of Fordham, she earned several awards for her work at WFUV, including four 2016 Gracies.
  
  Katie is a native New Yorker, though she originally hails from Troy, a little farther up the Hudson River. She can attest that the bagels are still pretty good there.
  
  WITF's Capitol Bureau Chief Desk is partially funded through generous gifts made in the memory of Tony May through the Anthony J. May Memorial Fund.
  
  For more information about Tony May, click here.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pa

(Harrisburg) — Democrats and Republicans in the state House are arguing over the date set for three special elections.

The Republican House Speaker, Mike Turzai, scheduled the elections for March 17^th, but Democrats say that a later date would be less confusing and save taxpayers money.

The elections are for the House’s 8^th, 18^th, and 58^th districts, which cover parts of Bucks, Mercer, Butler, and Westmoreland Counties.

All were held by Republicans who resigned after being elected to county positions.

Since Republicans hold a House majority, they schedule special elections. Representative Frank Dermody, who chairs the chamber’s Democratic caucus, said a better date is April 28, when Pennsylvania holds its primary election.

In a statement, Dermody wrote the elections will cost taxpayers “over a million dollars” and create “unnecessary confusion in four counties that are working to implement new voting procedures at the same time.”

Neal Lesher, a spokesman for Turzai, said the caucus has been consistent — noting that when two vacancies opened in January 2019, those special elections were also scheduled for mid-March.

There is also a February 25 special election to fill a vacancy in Philadelphia’s 190^th House District.

The Purple Buck Newsletter

Get insights into WITF’s newsroom and an invitation to join in the pursuit of trustworthy journalism.

Hidden

Groups

News

CAPTCHA

Email(Required)

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.