Hidden behind the large shadow cast behind the Delaware County special election in the 163rd state House District resides the 108th District.

The humble 108th – Montour County and part of Northumberland, including the city of Sunbury, Delaware, East Chillisquaque, Lewis, Point, Rockefeller, Rush, Turbot, Upper Augusta and West Chillisquaque Townships and McEwensville, Milton, Northumberland, Riverside, Snydertown, Turbotville and Watsontown boroughs.

Sixty-five thousand strong with a special election that could also tilt the balance of power in the state House.

Ah, not likely though.

See, Republicans have held this north-central PA seat since 1973 when George O. Wagner succeeded Democrat Franklin Kury who left for the state Senate.

The GOP has nominated Shikellamy director Mike Stender to replace state Sen. Lynda Culver, while the Democrats have selected Montour County Commissioner Trevor Finn as their candidate. Elijah Scretching will represent the Libertarian Party in the race.

Stender, a resident of Sunbury, is a former firefighter and EMT with the Americus Hose Company, is seeking the position because of a lifelong passion for politics. The father of three daughters, his website says he “shares our strong family values and will defend our pro-life and Second Amendment values, and he will defend our constitutional rights.”

“Mike has a history of being involved in his home community as a volunteer firefighter and as a Shikellamy School Board member showing his commitment to be a true public servant,” says Culver.

Stender’s campaign has pulled in $12,660 in contributions with more than half coming courtesy of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania and the House Republican Campaign Committee.

Finn, a resident of Danville, has served as Commissioner in Montour County for two decades and as chair for eight years. A father of two daughters, he also is a former firefighter and an accredited EMT. His website says his priorities are economic development, advancing the cause of all citizens and protecting the small town heritage of the District.

Finn’s campaign committee has received more than $9,000 in the race with more than one-third coming from the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee ($3,090). “I appreciate the bipartisan support I’ve been given throughout the 108th District, and as an independent thinker I will work hard for all members of the entire district to get the job done.”

Scretching, a 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran, says he wanted to provide voters with a third option. The father of a daughter said in a news release that “I believe anything in this world is possible with faith, hard work, and dedication. His campaign finance report shows no contributions.

The GOP has a large voter registration advantage in the 108th District with nearly 56.6 percent of all registered voters. Democrats have 29 percent of the 40,822 signed up, while other parties, non-affiliated and independent voters garner 14.8 percent.