Schreiber

Voters in the 95th state House District will be casting ballots in both a primary and an election on May 21.

That's the day of the likely showdown between Republican Bryan Tate and Democrat Kevin Schreiber, each of whom is vying to represent York City, North York, West York, Spring Garden Township and part of West Manchester Township.

Speaker of the House Samuel H. Smith, R-Jefferson County, announced Thursday that the special election to replace former Rep. Eugene DePasquale will coincide with this year's primary.

DePasquale was elected to the 95th House District in 2006 and held that seat until early this week, when he was sworn in as state auditor general.

Smith's decision to pair the special election with the primary

Tate

"This will undoubtedly save the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars," Kefauver said, referring to the cost of coordinating an election for one office.

Bob Wilson, chairman of the York County Republican Committee, said he would have preferred an earlier election.

"I'm kind of upset with the fact that I'm going to go without representation in Harrisburg for as long as we are," he said.

But, Wilson said, "At least we know what the time frame is."

The York County Democratic Committee will meet next Wednesday to confirm Schreiber as its candidate. The York County Republican Party will meet the next night to do the same for Tate.

The York County Libertarian Party has also announced its intention to field a candidate in the race.

Because the party was recently upgraded from "political body" to "minor political party" status, local Libertarians could nominate a candidate without petitioning for signatures, according to Ron Ruman, spokesman for the Department of State.

York County Libertarians are still looking for a candidate to challenge Tate and Schreiber, according to Manuel Gomez, vice chairman of the party.

- Erin James may also be reached at ejames@yorkdispatch.com.