Ellis' silence and White's resignation leave many without representation
A share of Butler County is without state representation due to a senator’s retirement and a representative’s extended absence.
Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, has not returned to Harrisburg for a vote since a Jan. 24 Philadelphia Inquirer article reported that he is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault in Harrisburg in 2017. On Friday, staff at his Lyndora office confirmed that he hasn't been in, as did his Harrisburg office.
No statement explaining his absence has been issued by him or a representative, and he has been unreachable by various media.
Much of Ellis' district overlaps with the district previously represented by state Sen. Don White, R-41st. However, as of Feb. 28, White retired from the Senate and formally resigned from his position. A special election to replace White is scheduled May 21.
So as of now residents of Summit, Oakland, Jefferson, Clearfield, Donegal and Fairview townships are without an available state representative or senator to call on.
Greg Walter, an old political rival of Ellis who lives in Clearfield Township, said he finds that fact particularly irksome.
“As a constituent, I'm getting the run around,” Walter said. “As someone who has no representation now, I feel frustrated.”
Walter said he recently called to urge Ellis not to support legislation expanding hunting on Sundays if it makes its way to the House. After various calls, he was unable to speak to anyone representing him, he said.
Find out what other constituents think of the situation in Sunday's Butler Eagle.
