Nikki Rivera, president of the Manheim Township School Board, has been selected by Lancaster County Democratic Committee members to replace Rep. Mike Sturla as its candidate for the 96th Legislative District seat.

The district comprises the northern half of Lancaster city and the borough of East Petersburg.

Sturla, who has served in Harrisburg since 1990, announced Monday that he would not run for reelection despite having filed to run early this year.

Rivera, 51, was the only candidate to file paperwork seeking the party’s nomination by 1 p.m. Wednesday, the deadline set by Democrats. She won the committee’s vote unanimously.

“I feel grateful for support from people who inspire me so much,” Rivera told Lancaster Online.

In addition to serving on the Manheim Township School Board, Rivera is also a teacher in the Warwick School District in the Lititz area.

Rivera said she’s campaigning for the 96th District seat to “advocate for inclusivity” statewide. She stated that she was interested in running for state House last summer but opted not to challenge Sturla. She joined his campaign committee to learn how to run a legislative campaign and meet some of the major Democratic Party donors.

Sturla said Wednesday night after the committee’s vote that he was “so happy” Rivera was chosen as the nominee, saying she is “highly qualified, thoughtful, intelligent (and) caring.”

“I think the constituents of the 96th that know her are happy and anyone that doesn’t know her will be happy when they get to know her,” Sturla said.

Rivera said she pledged to committee members that she would only serve five, two-year terms in the state House if she wins this year.

“I’m not a politician. I’m a teacher,” she said.

The state party’s executive committee must still approve Rivera’s candidacy. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Rep. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) said Wednesday that he hopes his members can meet to ratify Rivera’s candidacy by Friday.

Rivera, once formally nominated, will face Republican nominee Eric Beezer, a pro-pot candidate who won a spot on the county GOP committee in the May primary. In a statement Thursday morning, he said, “I recognize that many voters feel marginalized and want a stronger say in choosing their Representatives. Vote Beezer this November to make sure your voice counts.”