Lancaster city Democrat Mike Sturla has announced his withdrawal from the 96th Legislative District race in the fall.

Sturla, who has served in Harrisburg since 1990, said he plans to finish out the remainder of his term.

“For 34 years, the constituents always came first in terms of what needed to be done,” Sturla told LNP | LancasterOnline on Monday evening. “For the first time since then, I put myself first.”

State law requires a nomination no later than August 22, so the Lancaster County Democratic Committee will be pressed for time to find a replacement, given the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22. The county Democrats will send their recommendation to the state party who will make the final decision.

Sturla indicated that the passage of a $1.1 billion increase in education funding played a role in his decision.

“When I said I was going to run again, I didn’t know whether we could get it passed,” said Sturla, who made his decision on Sunday. “I wanted to stick around to make sure that was done.”

Sturla chaired the Basic Education Funding Commission for House Democrats this year as it drafted school funding recommendations. The commission garnered extra attention this year due to last year’s court ruling that found Pennsylvania doesn’t equitably fund its public schools.

After his retirement, Sturla said he plans to spend more time with his wife and four grandchildren.

Two names have been floated as possible candidates – Manheim Township School District board President Nikki Rivera and Dana Hamp Gulick, who unsuccessfully challenged Sturla in the 2022 primary race.

Sturla’s replacement will face Republican nominee Eric Beezer, who owns a Manheim Township store that sells cannabis products.

The 96th Legislative District covers the northern half of Lancaster city as well as Manheim Township and East Petersburg.