Former state Rep. Jeff Pyle’s staffer wins GOP nomination for special election, Dems choose Thursday night – TribLIVE

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The Republican Committee for Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties has nominated Abby Major as their candidate to run for former state Rep. Jeff Pyles seat.

The Democrats committee was scheduled to vote on its candidate Thursday evening.

A special election for Pyles seat will be held on the same day as the primary election, May 18. The winner of the special election will serve through next year.

A longtime lawmaker from Ford City, Pyle retired suddenly because of health issues earlier this month. He had just begun his ninth, two-year term in January.

Pyle endorsed Major, his chief of staff.

Obviously I am so honored that they picked me and grateful to be given the opportunity, said Major, 36, of Ford City. Prior to her working for Pyle, Major was an Iraqi war veteran who served as an Army intelligence analyst.

Major said she already started her campaign. She looks forward to meeting constituents and getting them out to vote.

She was among five candidates considered Wednesday night by the Republication committees. The candidates included Armstrong County Commissioner Don Myers, Anthony Shea, Jack Bowser and North Buffalo Township Supervisor Michael Valencic, according to Michael Baker of East Franklin, chair of the Armstrong County Republican Committee.

Baker said the turnout of five candidates so quickly after Pyle announced his retirement shows the enthusiasm for the Republican Party.

The committee conferees, with about 25 voting by secret ballot Wednesday night, unanimously endorsed Major, according to Baker. The conferees were impressed by Majors 12 years of experience in a state legislative office and her military background, he said.

Libertarian candidate named

On Tuesday night, the Libertarian Party endorsed Drew Hreha, 22, of North Apollo to run for the seat.

The Libertarian Party of Armstrong and Butler counties met Tuesday night online. They interviewed and nominated Hreha, said Sam Robb of Frazer, the Western vice chair for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania.

Hreha is a senior at Waynesburg University and editor of the campus newspaper, The Yellow Jacket.

We spent about 45 minutes asking Drew questions and learned how well he lined up with Libertarian values, and we are very satisfied, Robb said.

Libertarians account for about 1% to 2% of registered voters in most counties, he said.

Hreha said he hopes to bring a younger perspective to the General Assembly.

As a Libertarian, I can work both sides of the aisle, he said.

Hreha is looking to limit the state governors powers and to better protect the Second Amendment at the state level.

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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Former state Rep. Jeff Pyle's staffer wins GOP nomination for special election, Dems choose Thursday night - TribLIVE