Harrisburg, PA - Lt. Gov. John Fetterman today signed a writ calling for a special election in the 48th Senate District of Pennsylvania to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of former state Sen. Mike Folmer.
The special election will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2020, which Fetterman said represents the earliest possible date for restoring representation to the people of the 48th District. Folmer, a four-term Republican senator, resigned September 18 after being arrested on child pornography charges.
“The necessity of this election was born out of the tragedy of alleged exploitation of children,” Fetterman said. “There should be no political angling in determining when or how this election will be held. The people of the 48th deserve representation as soon as possible.”
The special election must be held at least 60 days from the time of the senator’s resignation. According to the Department of State, statutes also require machines to be locked for 20 days after the November 5 election, so counties can not start preparing for the special election until early December.
The district includes all of Lebanon County and portions of Dauphin and York Counties. In Dauphin, the district includes Conewago, Londonderry, Swatara and Lower Swatara townships and Highspire, Middletown, Paxtang, Royalton, and Steelton. In York, it includes Conewago, East Manchester, Newberry and Springettsbury townships and Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Manchester, Mount Wolf, and York Haven.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christina Kauffman, Press Secretary - 717-712-3316
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