Special election set for May 21 for vacant House seat
When then state Rep. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, was seeking the seat of former state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon Township, which he ultimately won, he also ran for his seat in the state House of Representatives in the 42nd District. He won both seats.
Smith opted to accept the Senate seat, leaving a vacancy in the House.
Recently, Speaker of the House, state Rep. Sam Smith, announced a special election for Matt Smith’s former House seat, will be held the same day as the Primary Election, May 21.
A special election will be held for the now vacant seat in the 95th District, vacated when former state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, won the office of state auditor general.
Stephen Miskin, spokesman for Speaker Sam Smith’s office, said voters who are registered as Independents may vote in the special election, but are prohibited from voting in the Primary Election. The 42nd District is in Allegheny County and includes all or parts of Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Scott Township and the boroughs of Green Tree, Rosslyn Farms and Thornburg. Matt Smith has been the representative in the district since 2007.
The 95th District is in York County.
Candidates for the office will be selected by a process designated by their respective political parties, and the winner of the special election will take office after the results are certified.