The first election of the 2023 season will be held on Tuesday, January 31, for the opening in the 27th state senate District.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Thursday signed a writ declaring a special election to replace Sen. John Gordner, whose term was set to expire in 2024. The senator submitted his resignation during Wednesday’s senate session, after announcing his intention to accept a new position as counsel to interim President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland).

Fetterman selected January 31 for the special election, aiming to restore representation to constituents as soon as possible, according to a news release. Under the law, the special election must be held at least 60 days from the issuance of the writ.

Gordner was first elected to the state Senate in a special election in November 2003. He was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 to represent the 27th Senatorial District, which includes all of Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, and Snyder counties and parts of Luzerne County.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Gordner served for 11 years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 109th Legislative District.

On Wednesday, state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland) announced her candidacy for the GOP nomination to fill this seat in a district that heavily leans Republican.

Each respective political party will choose a candidate to represent their party in the special election. The winner will serve out the remainder of Gordner’s term, which expires in November 2024.

District 27

COLUMBIA, LUZERNE, MONTOUR, NORTHUMBERLAND and SNYDER Counties. Dist. 27 All of COLUMBIA County; Part of LUZERNE County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Black Creek, Butler, Conyngham, Dorrance, Fairview, Hollenback, Huntington, Nescopeck, Rice, Salem, Slocum, Sugarloaf and Wright and the BOROUGHS of Conyngham, Nescopeck, New Columbus, Nuangola and Shickshinny; All of MONTOUR County; All of NORTHUMBERLAND County and All of SNYDER County.

Total population: 260,244