Politics & Government

Pippy's Senate Seat Could Remain Empty

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley will have to decide whether to hold a special election to fill the last few months of John Pippy's senate term.

resignation could leave his constituents without a senator for the next six months.

According to state law, if a senate vacancy happens less than seven months before the expiration of the term, Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley has 10 days to decide if there should be a special election or let the seat remain empty.

Pippy, R-Moon, . However, his district and capital staff members are expected to remain intact to assist constituents.

Find out what's happening in Chartiers Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With less than six months left until the term expires, Cawley will have to decide if a special election is “in the public interest,” according to state law. Matthew Keeler, a spokesman for the state Department of State, said Cawley will issue a writ of vacancy, although it’s not yet known what the lieutenant governor will do.

But state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, wrote in a letter Monday that “(h)olding an election a month or so before a regular election at a significant cost to the taxpayer is not ‘in the public interest,’” according to PoliticsPA.

Find out what's happening in Chartiers Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, there seems to be questions which Democrat will face Republican D. Raja in the general election to fill Pippy’s 37th Senate seat. Greg Parks was expected to run against Raja, but dropped out of the race last week, according to the Post-Gazette’s Early Returns blog.

That has fueled speculation that state Rep. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, could replace Parks and challenge Raja in the November election.

Smith said he is still deciding whether to run and would not rule out challenging Raja in the general election.

“People in the community, Democrats and Republicans alike, have approached me about running for state senate,” Smith said in a text message to Chartiers Valley Patch. “I am flattered and appreciative of the support. I will talk with my family and will make a decision after considering it with them.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Chartiers Valley