Due to the resignations of Reps. Joshua Siegel (D-Lehigh) and Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton has signed writs of election, calling for special elections in the 22nd and 42nd legislative districts for Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Siegel won election as Lehigh County Executive last month, while Miller won a position as a judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

According to the House Rules, the Speaker must issue a writ within 10 days following a vacancy.

Siegel becomes the county’s youngest-ever chief executive. He told City & State that his motivation for running for the position came from the fallout from the 2024 election: the declining credibility of institutions, democracy, and the party. The 31-year-old Siegel set lofty goals during the campaign to address challenges that county government hasn’t traditionally attempted to tackle. He made tackling the regional housing shortage a top priority while proposing the county explore slashing property taxes and instituting a 1% sales tax.

Miller has represented the 42nd District since 2013. The 54-year-old had previously said that he had considered running for a judgeship before he was elected to the House. House colleagues and social-service advocates didn’t hesitate to say that Miller has accomplished a lot during his time in the state legislature. They say he’ll leave a legacy of advocacy on disability and mental health issues, perhaps most highlighted by a yearly summit that brought together lawmakers and policy experts.

The 22nd and 42nd districts are located in Democratic strongholds. Nearly 53 percent of the 22nd district in Lehigh County, which includes the state’s third-largest city in Allentown, are registered Democrats, compared to 21 percent Republican.

The numbers are similar in the 42nd, that comprises Baldwin, Mount Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, with Democrats holding a 53-30% voter registration advantage.