Lt. Gov. John Fetterman announced May 18 as the special election date to fill the open state Senate seat previously held by the late state Sen. Dave Arnold (R-Lebanon). 

Arnold died after battling brain cancer on January 17. He was 49 years old. 

“The need for this election arises from the tragic death of a young husband and father,” Fetterman said. “There should be no political angling in determining when or how this election will be held. The people of the 48th deserve representation as soon as possible.”

Arnold was elected to represent the 48th Senate District in a special election in January 2020, taking over the seat previously held by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon). 

The parties will pick the candidates to run in the special election, which will take place on the same day as the state’s primary election.

PennLive reports that the following four candidates have formally told Lebanon County Republican Committee Chairman Edward Lynch that they intend to seek the GOP party nomination: Cleona Borough Mayor Larry Minnich of Lebanon County; Maureen Roth, a mental health counselor from Dauphin County; Tom Ryan, a retired businessman from York County; and Swatara Township Supervisor Bill Bering Jr. of Lebanon County. Greg Moreland, who served as Arnold’s chief of staff, also is expected to announce his interest in pursuing the nomination, according to their report.

This is the second special election announced to take place on the state’s primary date. Earlier in January, House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) announced that the special election for House District 59, to fill the open seat previously held by the late state Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland), will also take place on May 18.