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Matt Rourke / Associated Press
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
(Lebanon) — Voters in Pennsylvania’s 48th district have been picking Republican state Senators for more than half a century.
They did it again last night in a special election to represent Lebanon and parts of York and Dauphin counties. But, the senator-elect’s political leanings differ from his predecessor.
Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold won two-thirds of votes in his race against Democrat Mike Schroeder. Arnold’s predecessor, Republican Mike Folmer, was among GOP lawmakers who’d sometimes lean left or, at least, seek bipartisan consensus on criminal justice, redistricting reform and other issues.
Arnold favors keeping the state’s mapmaking laws as they are and made his career as a prosecutor, winning four terms as DA.
He’s also described himself as a consistent conservative on issues such as abortion and finance.
Folmer resigned in September after being arrested on child pornography possession and other charges.
Arnold’s victory does not change the power balance in the 50-seat Senate, where Republicans hold a 27-21 majority, with one independent who caucuses with Republicans.
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