Several local, state and, national organizations have announced endorsements in a special election to fill an empty state Senate seat representing Lebanon County and portions of York and Dauphin counties.
The special election on Tuesday, Jan. 14, will allow voters to choose between Republican David Arnold and Democrat Michael Schroeder to represent state District 48.
The men are vying for a seat left vacant last September when former Sen. Mike Folmer resigned after he was charged with possessing child pornography. The winner of the special election will serve the balance of Folmer’s term, which runs through November 2022.
Read More: State Sen. Mike Folmer resigns, vacancy to be filled with special election
District 48 covers all of Lebanon County as well as four townships and five boroughs in both York and Dauphin counties.
Arnold has served 14 years as Lebanon County’s district attorney. Schroeder is a history professor at Lebanon Valley College and executive director of the Quittapahilla Creek Garbage Museum.
Edward R. Lynch, campaign manager for Arnold, said in an email this week that Arnold has received endorsements from the following organizations:
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
“David understands the challenges facing the Commonwealth’s business community and recognizes the important role of employers in increasing economic opportunity and prosperity for residents across the state,” PA Chamber President Gene Barr said in a statement Dec. 11. “He will be a champion for pro-business policies that help lay the groundwork for a trained, skilled workforce and ensure private sector growth.”
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
“Dave Arnold has made it clear he wants to reduce the size of state government and lower taxes, which are policies small business owners need to help them grow, create jobs and succeed,” Gordon Denlinger, state director of NFIB Pennsylvania, said in a statement Jan. 6. “That’s important because actions by lawmakers in Harrisburg can have a direct impact on small businesses and the environment in which they operate, leading Pennsylvania toward economic growth or decline.”
- Lebanon Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 42
- Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, Philip C. Melley Memorial Lodge 65
Nathan Lund, campaign manager for Schroeder, said in an email that Schroeder has received the following endorsements:
- American Postal Workers Union Local 1566
- U.S. Term Limits
- Food and Water Action
In a post Jan. 3, Food and Water action said Schroeder “has been a leader in the fight against the Mariner East pipeline, which cuts through his community of Lebanon County.”
On the same day, U.S. Term Limits President Philip Blumel said Schroeder is “willing to listen to the majority of voters who want term limits. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians.”
Matt Duvall, a Democrat who also was in the running for a slot in the special election, said he has endorsed Schroeder.
“His vision of a future for all, based on compassion and integrity, is what I believe our district needs right now,” Duvall said.
Read More About the Special Election
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Full Disclosure: The campaigns of Dave Arnold and Michael Schroeder are advertisers on LebTown at present. LebTown does not make editorial decisions based on advertising relationships and advertisers do not receive special editorial treatment. Learn more about advertising with LebTown here.