The Butler County Democratic Committee has chosen the candidate they will nominate to run to replace former State Representative Brian Ellis.
Democratic Committee Chairwoman Catherine Lalonde says Sam Doctor of Butler– a crane operator at AK Steel– will be the Democratic nominee. Doctor ran against Ellis last fall as an independent and was defeated.
The choice is expected to be formalized with the state committee within the next couple of days. Current president of the Butler Township Board of Commissioners Dave Zarnick removed his name from the nomination process on Tuesday, saying he looks forward to another term on the township board. Chris Kubiak, education director for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, also withdrew his name from consideration.
The Special Election to replace Ellis in the 11th District will be held on Primary Election Day on May 21. Ellis’ term expires at the end of 2020. Ellis had been in office since 2004.