State Rep. Seth Grove, the top Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee, speaks during a committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 (Capital-Star files).
The former leader of the House Republican Party, who served as the caucus’ budget watchdog, announced he will resign from his position, effective Sunday.
Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) revealed in May that he would not seek re-election to a 10th term, ending the announcement with “Let’s get back to work,” but there was no indication he would resign before the end of his term.
His resignation – the fifth in the House this year – will leave Democrats with a short-lived 200-198 majority. Special elections for four seats will be held later this year.
Grove said he was leaving public service to pursue a career in the private sector, without providing details. He told the York Dispatch on Wednesday that he was tired. “I’ve used my time. It’s time to move on,” Grove said.
Get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox every morning. Sign up now for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star Morning Guide.
First elected in 2008, Grove has served as chairman of the House Appropriations and State Government committees and is the ranking Republican member of the Labor and Industry Committee.
He also argued for wide-ranging change to the Commonwealth Electoral Code. While then-Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the bill in 2021 over concerns about the voter ID requirement, elements of the bill were later passed.
“I am eternally grateful to the people who have placed their trust and faith in me over the years, and I thank them for allowing me to be their voice in Harrisburg,” Grove said. “I hope that I have lived up to the expectations of the Native leader they believe I can be and that my work reflects the values and priorities of the community we share.”
On February 24, voters will elect state representatives to fill the unexpired terms of former Rep. Joshua Siegel (D-Lehigh), who was elected to serve as Lehigh County executive, and former Republican Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), who was elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
On March 17, voters will cast ballots for representatives to replace former state Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), who resigned as a Blair County judge on December 31, and former Rep. Toren Ecker (R-Adams), who was elected as an Adams County judge.
Under House rules, Speaker Joanna McClinton (Philadelphia) has 10 days to call a special election to fill Grove’s seat. An election must be held no later than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.
