Brian Ellis will be replaced via a special election May 21, speaker of the state House of Representatives Mike Turzai announced Wednesday.

Ellis, a Republican, resigned as Pennsylvania's 11th District representative Monday. Turzai filed a writ for a special election to be held on May 21, the same day as this year's primary election. The writ arrived just two days before a 60-day minimum would make scheduling on the date impossible under state law.

The special election will not bring any further costs to the county because it'll simply be included with other elections being conducted the same day, according to Shari Brewer, the county's election bureau director.

County-level party organizations will be responsible for their own nomination processes to pick candidates.

Catherine Lalonde, chairman for the county Democrats, said the party has had two candidates already come forward who want to run for the seat.

Those are Sam Doctor and Chris Kubiak. Doctor ran for the seat in 2018.

Democratic committee people within the district will vote for the party's nominee, she said.

Republican committee members within the district will select their candidate, as well.

Al Lindsay, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, said his party does not have a definitive list of candidates yet because the number is still growing. He asked those interested in running to contact him at 724-282-6600.

“It's a pretty large group of people, so it should be very interesting,” Lindsay said. Ellis' former office in Lyndora remains open during regular hours to conduct needed business and constituent services.

Ellis resigned amid allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in Harrisburg in 2015. No charges have been filed.

Eagle staff writer Nathan Bottiger contributed to this report.