Harrisburg City Treasurer Dan Miller has received enough write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination for mayor. Although Miller ran as a Democrat, he encouraged Republicans to write him in, as the party did not have a candidate in the race. Miller received 112 write-in votes, surpassing the 100 needed to qualify for the GOP nomination, according to Chris Spackman, the Director of Dauphin County Registration and Elections.
Miller lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams by just 83 votes. Williams garnered 35% of the votes, while Miller received 33%. Despite this loss, Miller now has the opportunity to challenge Williams again in the general election on November 4.
Miller has not yet confirmed if he will accept the Republican nomination. In a statement, he expressed gratitude to the Republicans who supported him and acknowledged the challenges ahead. "Winning on the Republican ticket will be a difficult task," Miller said. He emphasized the need for fundraising, volunteer efforts, and a strong strategy, adding that he must assess community support before making a final decision.
Miller's platform includes revitalizing downtown Harrisburg, restoring the Broad Street Market, and enhancing public safety with a new camera system. His business experience and previous city government roles are central to his campaign.
The upcoming general election promises to be competitive, as the primary saw low voter turnout. Miller previously ran for mayor in 2013 after securing the Republican nomination but was defeated by Eric Papenfuse.