The Butler County Democratic Party has its candidate for the upcoming special election to represent the 11th District in the state House of Representatives.

Sam Doctor, a crane operator at AK Steel, is the candidate whose name the party will submit to the state as its candidate in the May 21 special election, said Catherine Lalonde, party chairman.

“He will be our candidate,” Lalonde said.

The two other potential candidates, Dave Zarnick, president of the Butler Township commissioners, and Chris Kubiak, education director for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, have withdrawn their names from consideration by the party executive committee, which was to choose a candidate from the three.

The county Democratic and Republican parties are selecting candidates for the special election to serve the remainder of former Rep. Brian Ellis' term, which expires at the end of 2020. Ellis, who had held the office since 2004, resigned last week amid a sexual assault allegation dating to 2015 that hasn't resulted in any criminal charges.

Zarnick and Kubiak withdrawing is understandable given the short amount of time potential candidates had to consider dedicating time to campaigning and possibly serving in Harrisburg, Lalonde said.

“It's how fast things are happening. It's too short of a time period to reorganize your whole life,” she said.

Doctor, who ran as an Independent against Ellis last year, is a good candidate, she said. “We're very happy to have Sam running for us. He ran as an Independent in the midterms. He knows a lot about the issues. He's a great candidate,” Lalonde said.

Now it's up to the Republic Party to choose a candidate from 12 people who have expressed interest in running in the special election, which is the same day as the primary.

Two reasons, Zarnick said, are behind his decision to withdraw.

“One is family obligations. Two is we're going to have our first grandchild in June. At this point I'm content and happy where I am serving the residents of Butler Township. I've been a commissioner for 12 years, I'm running for my fourth term, I like my job add I feel I represent the township residents well,” Zarnick said. “I didn't feel the timing was good.”

In addition to his duties in the township, he said he is also active in state and regional organizations that benefit the township.

Zarnick is first vice president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners and will become president next year, and is president of the Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners.

“My schedule is obviously busy, but I enjoy serving the residents of the township. I'm very active in those organizations and Butler Township,” he said.

The township makes up the largest part of the 11th Legislative District, and both parties must select their candidates soon, he said.

Zarnick said he has talked to people who mistakenly believe the special election is a primary and don't understand that whoever wins the special election will represent the district.

“Time is running out. The committees must make their decisions,” he said. “I applaud anybody that steps up and participates in public service.”

Kubiak said he decided to withdraw so he can continue raising his young family, and he will support Doctor in the election.

“At this time, given my time constraints, I couldn't put in enough time to a campaign,” Kubiak said. “I think Sam is a fantastic candidate and I will back him 100 percent and help him in his campaign. I think Sam will do an excellent job of representing us in District 11.”

He said he has an 11-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son and he doesn't want to miss out on spending time with them.

Kubiak said he isn't giving up on seeking public office.

“I'm looking to run for something in the future. I still feel strongly about issues,” he said.

Republicans who are being considered for their party's candidacy are Suzie Bradrick, a Butler Township resident who serves on the Butler School Board; Shawn Denham of Fairview Township; Tiffany Keffalas of Butler Township; Jim Kemple of Butler; Tom Knights, Butler Township manager and Saxonburg council member; Chris Mertz of Connoquenessing; Marci Mustello, a Butler Township resident who works for U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and ran against Ellis in 2004; Lois Rankin, a Jefferson Township supervisor; Amy Reynolds of Butler Township, Jeff Smith, a Butler City Council member; Vernon Smith of Butler Township and Gregory Walter, a Clearfield Township resident who ran against Ellis in 2006.