PA Special Election Scheduled To Fill Former Sen. John Gordner's Seat

HARRISBURG, PA — Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has set a special election date to fill the 27th state senatorial district seat vacated by former Sen. John Gordner. He resigned this week to become counsel to the Senate’s interim President Pro Tempore, Republican Kim Ward of Westmoreland County.

The special election will be held Jan. 31. Under state law it must be held at least 60 days from the issuance of the writ of election, which Fetterman signed on Thursday.

Political party leaders will select candidates to run for the seat. The winner will serve the remainder of Gordner's term, which runs through 2024.

Republican state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver of Northumberland County, a six-term state House veteran, already has announced she is interested in the seat.

Gordner, 60, had represented the 27th District since 2003. Before that, he was a state representative for a decade.

The 27th District includes all of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties and part of Luzerne County.

The election will not come close to tipping the balance of power in the Senate. The GOP held a 28-22 edge before Gordner's resignation, and the 27th District is heavily Republican.