It’s that time again, another special election will soon be upon us.

The sudden departure of State Senator Matt Smith has left an opening for aspiring public officials in Allegheny and Washington County.

Additionally, the seat Sen. Smith is leaving was held by Republicans for 22 years before he was elected so the GOP should have a decent chance in this contest.

On that note, Republicans are already coalescing around Natalie Mihalek.

Mihalek is an attorney from Upper St. Clair and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. She is 36 and married with two kids. The former prosecutor is also a Republican State Committee member and serves on the Board of Directors of the Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park Rotary Club.

One GOP source says Mihalek is already meeting with consultants and potential future colleagues. The same source also asserts that the party leadership is behind her although she still has to be formally approved by the local Republican committee.

No date has been set so far for the special election.