Lanco Senate seat will be a 2026 race to watch

One of the key races to watch this year in the Pennsylvania State Legislature is the 36th District Senate Election in Lancaster County.

Democrat James Malone upset Republican County Commissioner Josh Parsons in a special election last year, sending shockwaves across the political landscape. The seat was vacated when Ryan Aument resigned to become Republican U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s state director.

The 52-year old Malone became the first Democrat to win the northern Lancaster County seat in 130 years. 

“I think a reason we won is our message was heard by constituents, that we are going to listen and serve them,” Malone said.

Malone had served two terms as mayor of East Petersburg, an unpaid position.

He launched his reelection campaign last month. He says of the upcoming election, “If you’re a registered Republican, I hope I’ve shown I’m worth investing in, you can write my name in,  James Andrew Malone. My goal is to serve the entire District and every constituent to the best of my ability.”

Tom O’Brien, Chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Party, expects a close race in November, but says of Malone, “One thing I hear about him is the fact he’s attending a lot of public meeting sessions. He listens to people; he doesn’t just talk, he listens.”

Republicans are hoping voters will hear their message this time around and they will regain the seat the party held for so long, but they acknowledge parts of the county are changing.

“Republicans can’t take elections for granted anymore in Lancaster County,” said candidate Mary Jo Huyard, a small business owner and former Manheim Township commissioner.

“I’m passionate to run and gain back the seat to check the progressive policies of the left,” Huyard said. “I feel I’m a candidate who can win suburban voters as well as red voters in rural areas.”

She is one of four candidates currently running. The others include State Representative Tom Jones, whose 98th District covers parts of Lancaster and Lebanon counties. The Lancaster County Republican Party’s website shows Jones leading Huyard in early straw poll voting among Republican Committee members. Jones did not return calls for comment.

The two other candidates are Navy veteran Mike Zimmerman and businessman Patrick Morgan. Parsons is not running this time.

The county Republican Party is expected to endorse a candidate at it’s meeting on February 17th. A candidate needs two-thirds support among committee members.

”In order to win, it’s vital the candidate appeals to purple districts,” Huyard said in making her case to win the endorsement. She said those districts include Manheim Township where she served on the Board of Commissioners, and East and West Hempfield townships.

Republican President Donald Trump won the 36th District by fifteen points in 2024, but Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro prevailed in 2022.

O’Brien says voters are concerned about “pocketbook issues.” Malone plans to focus on affordability, housing costs and availablity, labor and natural resources. “I want to continue to demonstrate my work is good and to reinvest in my service.”

Malone says the best part of his job has been “dealing with constituents and the resiliency among the citizens.” The worst part of the job? “Coaxing people to work together.”

He serves on the Local Government, Communications and Technology, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Aging and Youth, and Game and Fisheries Committees. He cites the passage of Sunday hunting and an amendment requiring mandatory reporters to report alleged incidents of children sexually abusing other children involving explicit images, as two cases where state Senators from both parties reached agreement.

Many Republicans believe it was a perfect storm that led to the surprise victory by Democrats in last year’s special election, citing a lack of engagement and the Trump tariffs. They don’t plan to be caught with their guard down again.

“Republicans have to wake up and not take elections for granted anymore in Lancaster County,” Huyard said.

Democrats will be looking to overcome the odds again, trying to retain the seat they flipped as they bid to win a majority in the Senate. 

“If power sits in one place too long, you can become complacent, and it’s good to shake things up,” Malone said.

Barbara Barr is a former reporter for WGAL in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley where she led political coverage that earned a Walter Cronkite Award.