(WHTM) — Pennsylvanians will head to the polls this March to fill two vacant seats in the state’s House of Representatives.
Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Cumberland/Adams) and Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) both resigned after winning judicial seats in November’s municipal election. Ecker now sits on the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, and Schmitt now sits on the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
On Friday, House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) signed a writs of election, essentially an order to hold an election, for Tuesday, March 17.
The two seats aren’t the only ones up for grabs this year in a special election. Voters will fill vacancies in the state’s 22nd District (Lehigh) and 42nd District (Allegheny) in February. Both those seats were held by Democrats.
With a one-seat majority in the House, the elections could theoretically threaten the Democrats’ position of power. However, that’s unlikely as all four districts are strongholds for their respective parties.
Pennsylvania’s 5 biggest laws coming into effect in 2026
Special elections do not have primaries. Instead, parties nominate candidates directly. The winner of a special election goes on to serve the remainder of an unexpired term.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.