GOP Sues Over Special Elections in Pa. House Majority Battle

(File Phot of Rep. Bryan Cutler)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The top-ranking Republican in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives wants a court to prevent voters from filling three vacant seats in February in special elections that will determine majority control of the chamber. Rep. Bryan Cutler of Lancaster in a lawsuit filed late Friday asked Commonwealth Court to issue an injunction against special elections his Democratic counterpart scheduled this week. Cutler is naming the Department of State, acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman and the Allegheny County Elections Board as defendants. Democrats won a one-seat House majority in last month’s election, but one of their members died and two have resigned after also being elected to higher offices.