Pennsylvania House records multiple resignations; writs order special elections
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Summary
The House convened and the clerk read letters of resignation for several representatives, and the Speaker issued writs directing county election officials to hold special elections in multiple districts in February and March 2026.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives convened at noon and the clerk read letters informing the chamber of multiple resignations and corresponding writs to fill the vacancies. The clerk read a letter in which "Representative Smith" said it had been an honor to represent the 70th District and stated a resignation effective Wednesday, Dec. 31, and a separate letter attributed to "Torency Ecker" indicated resignation as State Representative for the 193rd Legislative District effective Dec. 30, 2025. The clerk reported additional vacancy writs issued in the Speaker27s name for other districts, citing the resignations of Josh Siegel (22nd District), Dan Miller (42nd District), Louis Schmidt (Blair County district), and a vacancy in the 193rd District covering Adams and Cumberland counties.
Why it matters: The writs command county election officials to schedule special elections to fill the affected seats for the remainder of the current terms. The clerk read that the special election for the 22nd Legislative District (Lehigh County) and the 42nd Legislative District (Allegheny County) were scheduled for February 2026; writs for other vacancies set special-election dates in March 2026. The writs stated they were issued under the authority of the Speaker and in accordance with applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution and acts of assembly.
Details and process: The clerk read each writ into the record and said the Speaker had directed county boards of elections to give due and public notice of the elections "in the form and manner directed by law." The reading concluded with the Speaker27s name appended as issuing the writs under the seal of the House of Representatives. The transcript does not record additional details such as exact calendar dates for each county27s ballot deadlines, candidate filing windows, or party schedules; those procedural specifics are set by county election officials in accordance with state law.
What was said: During the reading, the clerk recited plaintive phrases from the letters (for example, "Dear Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to represent the people of the 70") and the writs themselves were presented as formal commands from the Speaker to county election boards to hold the specified elections.
Next steps: County boards of election named in the writs are responsible for scheduling, noticing, and conducting the special elections in line with state election law. The House record as read does not include motions or votes related to these vacancies; the clerk27s readings place the matters on the official record and trigger the local election processes.
