Pennsylvania Republican Leaders Order Special Election Amid Majority Controversy

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WHTM) – Pennsylvania Republican House Majority Leader Brian Cutler announced two vacancies on May 16 in a power struggle over who would control the state capitol in Harrisburg. requested a special election to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.

Cutler and House Republicans say they hold a 101-to-99 majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after Democrats Summer Lee and Austin Davis resigned following their election victories in Congress and lieutenant governor, respectively. There is

There are also vacancies here Rep. Tony DeLuca passes awayWho won re-election Even though he died early in the fall.

Cutler issued election warrants for the 34th and 35th congressional districts for a special election to be held on May 16, 2023, while Democrats have issued similar bids for the February 7 early election. issued an order.

a Special election for DeLuca’s seat It was scheduled for February 7th by Cutler.

“Having a clear and undeniable majority of powers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and supported by House precedents, Pennsylvania law, and previous decisions of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, I will, in order to ultimately provide electoral certainty, We are issuing these legal election warrants for the people of Allegheny County, who currently lack representation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Cutler said.

House Democrats said Cutler is continuing his “campaign to disenfranchise nearly 200,000 voters” so that Republicans can pass “radical policies.”

“Pennsylvanians sent a clear message on Election Day, electing a majority of Democratic precincts and rejecting the broken politics and extremism of the Republican Party,” said Nicole, spokeswoman for Democratic leader Joanna McClinton. Reigelman said.

Cutler filed a lawsuit last week It named the State Department, Acting Secretary of State Lee Chapman, and the Allegheny County Election Commission as defendants and asked federal court to issue an injunction.

Cutler’s lawsuit alleges that Deluca’s death before the start of the new session on December 1 meant the Democrats “had a majority of the 102 living members of Congress, or more than the Republican caucuses. It claims to mean “cannot claim”.

Cutler’s lawsuit challenges McClinton’s authority to issue three “election warrants” under state law and the Constitution.

Cutler, who served as chair until the last session ended on November 30, said he did not intend to run for re-election. No other Republican candidate has surfaced publicly. McClinton said she hopes to be the Chamber’s first female speaker.

General Secretary Brooke Wheeler will serve as Speaker of the House until January 3, when the Speaker for the 2023-24 session is elected.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.