State Representative Tom Jones has announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate, aiming for the 36th Senatorial District seat in Lancaster County. Jones, a Republican, will seek the GOP nomination to challenge the current seat holder, Democrat James Malone.
Jones currently serves as the representative for the 98th District, which includes northern Lancaster County. He previously worked as an East Donegal Township supervisor. In his announcement on Tuesday (July 29), Jones expressed his commitment to providing strong representation for the people of Lancaster, stating, "It has been an honor to serve my community as State Representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. I believe the people of Lancaster deserve strong representation in the 36th Senate District, and I look forward to earning their support" from his Facebook page.
The 36th District includes areas such as Manheim Township, Lititz, Elizabethtown, and Mount Joy Township. Historically, the district had been a Republican stronghold for nearly 140 years until Malone's victory in a special election earlier this year. Malone's win drew national attention as he defeated Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons. The seat became available after Republican Ryan Aument resigned to join Senator Dave McCormick’s office.
Republicans currently hold a 27-23 majority in the Pennsylvania State Senate. Jones's entry into the race sets the stage for a closely watched contest as the GOP seeks to reclaim the seat in the upcoming election.