Seneca Valley School Board member Mark Gartner withdrew his bid for state representative of the 12th House District, he announced in a Thursday morning Facebook post.

Seneca Valley School Board member Mark Gartner withdrew his bid for state representative of the 12th House District, he announced in a Thursday morning Facebook post.

“After a lot of praying, I have decided to not continue in the pursuit of the state representative position,” Gartner said in the post.

Garter announced Wednesday, Feb. 18, he would run to replace Rep. Stephenie Scialabba as representative for Pennsylvania’s 12th House district. Scialabba announced Feb. 16 she would not seek a third term in office.

He was running against fellow Republicans Scott Timko and Ethan Nicholas, both of Cranberry Township, and Brandon Dukes, a Cranberry Township Democrat.

“I will focus my energy in public service on continuing to represent our community in the Seneca Valley School Board,” Gartner said.

Gartner represents Region 9 of the school board, which includes Callery and Harmony boroughs and Jackson Township. Originally from eastern and central Pennsylvania, he lived in Cranberry Township from 2002 until 2020, when his family moved to Jackson Township.

The Butler County Republican Committee has not endorsed a candidate in the race, but Chairwoman Stacey Palmer said she personally reached out to Gartner and discussed his reasons for withdrawing.

“The committee’s interest is in supporting the most conservative candidate in any primary,” Palmer said.

The 12th House District includes Adams, Cranberry and Jackson townships; plus Callery, Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Seven Fields, Valencia and Zelienople boroughs.