Special election to fill Ellis' seat to be held in May
Brian Ellis will be replaced via a special election held on May 21, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Turzai announced Wednesday.
Ellis resigned from representing Pennsylvania's 11th House of Representatives district Monday. Turzai filed a writ for a special election to be held on May 21, the same day as this year's primary election. The writ arrived just two days before a 60-day minimum would make scheduling on the date impossible under state law.
Details of how such an election process will be handled on short notice were not immediately clear. Christine Goldbeck, director of communications for Turzai, directed questions on such topics as how candidates will file for the seat to county officials. The county Bureau of Elections reported that a meeting would be held Wednesday afternoon between county officials to sort out details and form a plan.
Goldbeck said the quick scheduling of a special election was done in hopes of lessening its cost.
Ellis' former office in Lyndora is remaining open regular hours to conduct needed business and constituent services.
Ellis resigned amid allegations that he raped or sexually assaulted a woman in Harrisburg in 2015.
Pick up Thursday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online to read more about the special election.
