York County GOP Rep. Seth Grove to leave office Sunday

A former state House Republican leader who served as the caucus’ budget watchdog announced he would resign from office effective Sunday.

Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) revealed in May that he would not seek reelection for a 10th term, ending the announcement with “Lets get back to work,” but 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 temporary 200-198 majority. Special elections for four seats are scheduled later this year.

Grove said he was leaving public service for a role in the private sector, without elaborating. He told the York Dispatch on Wednesday he was tired. “I did my time. It’s time to move on,” Grove said.

First elected in 2008, Grove served as chairperson of the House Appropriations and State Government committees and is the ranking GOP member of the Labor and Industry Committee.

He also championed an expansive overhaul of the commonwealth’s election code. While then-Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the bill in 2021 over concerns about a voter ID requirement, elements of the bill were later made law.

“I am eternally grateful to the people who 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 I met the expectations of the homegrown leader they believed I could be and that my work reflected the values and priorities of the community we share.”

Voters will elect state representatives Feb. 24 to complete the unexpired terms of former Rep. Joshua Siegel (D-Lehigh), who was voted in as Lehigh County executive, and former Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), who was elected to the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.

On March 17, voters will cast ballots for representatives to replace former state Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), who resigned Dec. 31 to become a Blair County judge and former Rep. Toren Ecker (R-Adams), who was elected to a judgeship in Adams County.

Under House Rules, Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) has 10 days to call for a special election to fill Grove’s seat. The election must be held no less than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.