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SD48: Lebanon County DA Dave Arnold Announces Bid for GOP Nomination

Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold announced on Thursday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for the open seat in the state’s 48th Senatorial District. 

State Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) resigned from office on Sept. 18 after Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that Folmer was charged with possession of child pornography. Folmer represented the district since 2007. 

Arnold, who is currently serving his fourth term as Lebanon County DA, said he put a lot of thought and consideration into the decision to join the race and stressed the need to nominate a candidate who will “restore credibility” to the district. 

“I have given a great deal of thought to this decision and I know this is my opportunity to make a difference for Lebanon County, all of the residents of the 48th District and Pennsylvania,” Arnold said in a statement announcing his intentions for the seat. “The last two weeks have been challenging for all of us and, as a prosecutor, the gravity of the circumstances surrounding why this seat is vacant are not lost on me and my prayers remain with those victims. That is why it is critical that we nominate a candidate who will restore credibility to the 48th District. I know I am that candidate.”

Arnold’s describes himself as a “consistent conservative” and said if elected he’d fight to “protect the sanctity of life,” support 2nd Amendment rights, and lower taxes. He also pointed to his work as DA, saying that he’s worked to keep a budget and believes that lawmakers in Harrisburg need to be held to the same standard, and called for the elimination of property taxes, particularly for seniors on a fixed income. 

His release also touted his Lebanon County roots, but referred to himself as “an outsider in Harrisburg” and believes he would provide a “fresh perspective on many issues.” 

“I have not been a politician or a government lobbyist. I am not beholden to any special interest groups,” Arnold said in a statement. “I am only concerned about doing what’s best for the people of the 48th District.”

Arnold joins a growing field of Republicans interested in seeking their party’s nomination. State Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) and Matthew J. Brouilette, president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs formally announced their intentions for the seat. PennLive reports that Lebanon County GOP Committee Chairman Casey Long confirmed that Arnold, Brouilette, Diamond are among a total of nine candidates that have expressed interest in the seat. Others that have expressed interest include real estate agent and auctioneer Bill Bering Jr.; insurance agent Randy Hoffman; nursing home administrator Paul Vranesic; Millersville University political science professor Charles Greenawalt; state House policy analyst Greg Moreland, and Tom Ryan, a retired businessman from York County. 

Multiple Democrats have also expressed interest in the seat, but a spokesperson for the party has not released their names yet. 

Folmer, who served as chair of the Senate’s State Government Committee, won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by 25 points over Democrat Lois Herr. 

The 48th Senatorial District seat encompasses Lebanon and parts of Dauphin and York Counties. The special election date for the seat is Jan. 14

The Pennsylvania Republican Party will choose their nominee for the seat on Saturday, October 19 at a conferee meeting at Lebanon Valley College. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party will convene on Oct. 10 to select their nominee.

2 Responses

  1. Yeah fm lebanon county, works as district atty, with their judges, the va and the prison, the ONLY business in lebanon and corrupt as hell.
    Do the math. Not a true REPUPLICAN. BEWARE.

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