Citing Injury, Scott Martin Exits Gov. Race

The Republican state Senator from Lancaster was trailing behind most candidates in fundraising.

State Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) has left the governor’s race due to injury. He said a broken leg he suffered last month in a fall on ice is more severe than originally believed, and would prevent him from campaigning.

“The injuries to my leg were beyond a simple broken bone and included a severing of numerous ligaments and tendons in my ankle that are going to require greater and  longer rehabilitation than I originally hoped would be necessary,” Martin said in a written statement announcing the end of his campaign. “Continuing to campaign in the coming months would put my future ability to walk without impediment in danger, which is something I cannot do to my own family. It would also mean that I would be unable to campaign in the manner I feel the people of Pennsylvania and the countless supporters who have come to our effort deserve.”

Martin, 49, was one of more than a dozen Republicans to officially declare their candidacy. He didn’t enter the race until December, and lagged behind most candidates in fundraising.

The former Lancaster County commissioner was first elected to the state Senate in 2016. In that role, Martin has backed Republican efforts to restrict reproductive rights, and voted against LGBTQ rights and recognition. 

Martin has declared his support of the Republican “audit” of the 2020 election and was one of almost 100 state lawmakers who signed letters attempting to overturn the state’s general presidential election results.