Two Republican candidates are in a closely watched race to secure their party’s nomination for the state’s 48th Senatorial District.
As of 10 p.m. on election night, with 161 of 202 precincts reporting, Incumbent State Senator Chris Gebhard leads challenger Clovis Crane by nearly 2,000 votes.
Gebhard was elected to serve the district in a 2021 special election.
Prior to holding elected office, Gebhard spent more than two decades working in the insurance field and currently owns an insurance and risk management firm in Lebanon.
A lifelong resident of Lebanon County, Sen. Gebhard currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
During his time in office, Gebhard says he’s worked to protect constitutional individual liberties, ensure that Pennsylvania has secure and honest elections, strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and schools, assist small business owners dealing with overregulation and help draft fiscally responsible budgets that put families and taxpayers first.
Gebhard’s challenger is Clovis Crane.
Crane spent years competing as a professional cowboy and jockey and says his race-riding experience led him to pursue a career in the horse industry.
Crane and his wife train thoroughbred horses and he also coaches wrestling at Northern Lebanon High Schools.
He credits the conservative values of hard work, discipline, determination, and grit as the foundation of his success.
According to his campaign site, Crane says he’s running for State Senate to ensure all citizens have the same ability to live out their American Dream.
There is no one running on the Democratic ticket for the seat.
The 48th Senatorial District contains all of Lebanon County and portions of Berks and Lancaster counties.