Two candidates will face off in the May 19 primary for the Republican nomination for the 12th District seat in the state House of Representatives, and the winner will likely face the lone Democratic candidate in the Aug. 18 special election and the November general election.

The seat is open due to the March 31 resignation of former state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba. Her second term would have expired at the end of this year, but when she stepped down, the special election was scheduled to fill the remainder of her term.

The winner of the Aug. 18 election will take the seat through Dec. 31, while the winner of the general election will take the seat for a full two-year term in January.

Republican candidates Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko, both from Cranberry Township, indicated that whichever of them wins the primary would likely be nominated by the Butler County Republican Committee to run in the special election.

Democratic candidate Brandon Dukes, of Cranberry Township, who is unopposed in the primary, said he is planning to run in the special election.

Nicholas, who has lived in the township since 2009 and is president of the Pittsburgh Business Exchange, said he is an advocate for school choice and believes in reducing red tape that hinders small businesses.

He said his stance on school choice grew from the different educational needs of his children. He has two children and explained how his son was diagnosed with Koolen-de Vries syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that delays development.

“That gave me a strong stance on school choice. I don’t think a child’s education should be determined by the ZIP code they live in. I’m a strong advocate for education and school choice,” Nicholas said.

On business, he said small businesses are beleaguered by an overabundance of government red tape and oversight.

“We need to get out of the way of small business so southwestern Pennsylvania can flourish. Government needs to get out of the way and let Americans do what they do best and that’s build things,” Nicholas said.

He described himself as a “family first, America first” guy who, like most Republicans, believes in lower taxes and smaller government. When he pays his taxes, he said he wonders how much of that money is being wasted.

“I’m determined to get in there and spend every dollar like it’s my own. The government likes to spend like it’s someone else’s money. If someone spends like it’s their money, they will be careful,” Nicholas said.

He said he is looking forward to the primary.

“I’m very excited about this,” Nicholas said.

Timko, a former local business owner and retired Air Force pilot who is now a civilian pilot and has lived in the township since 2000, said the state has a spending problem.

He said taxes have increased over the last 20 years and he wants to provide tax relief for taxpayers and reduce state spending.

He noted he is funding his campaign because he doesn’t believe money should be an issue in elections.

“I think it’s the responsibility of a state representative to work on issues that make life easier,” Timko said.

Infrastructure is another issue he would like to address if elected. He said roads and other infrastructure are out of step with development in the township.

It takes an excessively long time to drive across the township and road construction causes drivers to use side roads to avoid delays, but the side roads are deteriorating, Timko said.

New housing development near the Adams Ridge development has led to traffic jams during the morning commute, he said.

“We need a representative to focus on the district — fix roads, affordability to reduce grocery prices, reduce the tax burden so taxpayers can focus on work, school and braces for the kids, Timko said. “We need a strong conservative to continue to represent this district.”

He said he also supports reducing red tape and regulations that take up too much of a small-business owner’s time. He said he is familiar with those regulations, having co-owned a Vocelli Pizza shop and J. Gumbo’s Cajun restaurant with his wife.

Dukes, a commercial construction loan administrator, said he is running to represent the people making the township and other parts of the district grow.

“I’m running because the district needs much change,” Dukes said. “We’ve had the same representation and leadership for 30 years. The demographic is changing with progressive values and younger families like mine.”

He said he grew up in Pittsburgh, moved to the township in 2017, relocated to Ohio for a few years, and returned to the township in 2020 with his wife and two daughters. Residents who moved from Allegheny County to the township need new representation, he said.

He said he sees a need for affordable housing for young families and first time homebuyers. He also said he supports and would have voted for raising the minimum wage. Fuel and energy costs are increasing and he said he wants to make sure people can afford them.

Infrastructure in the township is outdated and isn’t keeping up with the rapid pace of development, he said. “Gridlock” is common on Routes 19 and 228 from local residents and visitors from surrounding areas, he added.

Dukes said the Seneca Valley School District is among the top districts in the state, but parents want school vouchers and he supports vouchers as long as taxes paid by parents are not handed to cyberschools.

School districts need tax dollars for building renovations, teacher salaries, school meals and other expenses, he noted. Cyberschools don’t have elected school boards, and it is difficult to learn how they spend the revenue they receive, he said.

Dukes is a Butler County Democratic Committee member and narrowly lost in last year’s election for township supervisor to incumbent Republican Bruce Hezlep.

“I lost by 1 percentage point, which is another reason I’m running — that momentum,” Dukes said.

Dukes will likely face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November.

Monday, May 4, is the last day to register to vote in the May 19 primary election and May 12 is the last day to request mail-in and absentee ballots.

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