Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that a special election to replace former Republican Rep. Pat Meehan will take place alongside the midterm elections on Nov. 6.
“Given the calendar and timing of these announcements, it makes the most fiscal and practical sense for our county elections office to schedule these special elections on the same day as the November general election,” said Wolf in a statement.
Meehan announced last week that he would resign immediately rather than follow through with his intention to leave office at the end of his term. His resignation came after allegations of sexual harassment, including reports that he settled a harassment case with a former staffer by using taxpayer funds. The former congressman said he will repay the settlement.
Meehan resigned immediately to end the Ethics Committee investigation into his behavior because he worried it would be a burden on his staff.
The race for Meehan’s seat is likely one of at least two special elections to take place on Nov. 6 as Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., is set to resign in the coming weeks. The governor’s office said that they expect Wolf, a Democrat, to handle any other retirements in the “same manner” as Meehan’s seat up until early September.
The November special election is also set to be for the current 7th District and held under the old state map rather than the new one instituted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The winner will serve out the final two months of the term, according to a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State.
The current 7th District is set to become the new 5th District, which will be more Democratic.
