Lebanon County Republican Committee endorses 2026 party candidates

The Lebanon County Republican Committee recently endorsed candidates, including two in contested races in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary election on May 19. 

The LCRC endorsed incumbent candidate state Sen. Chris Gebhard over challenger Clovis Crane for the 48th Senate District seat and Nikki Jones for the 98th District House seat over Elizabeth Lindemuth.

Current incumbent Republican House member Tom Jones, whose 98th legislative district includes a portion of Lebanon County, is running for the 38th Senate District seat.

Only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote for their respective parties in Pennsylvania’s primary election. The two Republican races are the only contested races in Lebanon County; there are no contested races among Democrats in Lebanon County. 

LCRC chairman Bill Bova said each endorsed candidate was chosen unanimously by the county committee.  

“We began in the 9th Congressional District, so we endorsed Dan Meuser, and then we went through the 48th Senate District. We endorsed Chris and then we went through each of the state House races, the 98th,” Bova said. “The only one that showed up at our meeting was Nikki and that’s who we endorsed. And then we have the incumbents, Russ (Diamond) and John (Schlegel), who we also endorsed.” 

Incumbent House members Diamond (R-102nd) and Schlegel (R-101st) are running unopposed on the Republican ticket in the May primary. 

48th Senate District

A Bethel Township farmer and wrestling coach, Crane will challenge Gebhard, who is seeking his second full term in the Pennsylvania State Senate, in the May primary.

The 48th Senatorial District covers all of Lebanon County, as well as parts of Berks and Lancaster counties. 

Crane, who is the founder, owner, and operator of Crane Thoroughbreds, announced in mid-February he is running against Gebhard, who was elected in a May 2021 special election to replace the late state Sen. David Arnold. Gebhard was elected to his first full four-year term in November 2022.

Gebhard announced his campaign for re-election in December.

Whoever wins the May primary election on the Republican ballot should have a clear path to victory in November’s mid-terms election since no one is running on the Democratic ticket.

Gebhard, in his announcement in December, said he remains committed “to protecting our constitutional liberties, putting Pennsylvania and America first, supporting small businesses, strengthening our economy, and crafting fiscally responsible budgets that prioritize families and taxpayers.”

Crane’s platform on his website includes lowering inflation, eliminating property and death taxes, cutting regulations, deporting criminal illegal aliens, defending the Second Amendment, stopping overdevelopment, and ensuring election integrity. 

98th House District

Elizabethtown School Director Danielle Lindemuth will face Lancaster County Clerk of Courts Nicky Woods, the party’s unanimously endorsed candidate, to be the Republican candidate for the 98th House District seat. 

The portions of Lebanon County included in the 98th House District are Mount Gretna Borough, South Annville Township, and South Londonderry Township.

LCRC state committee endorsements

There are seven individuals seeking five seats on the state Republican committee. 

The five individuals selected by LCRC as their endorsed candidates are:

• Rep. Russ Diamond (R-102nd)
• Rep. John Schlegel (R-101st)
• South Londonderry Township supervisor Faith Bucks
• Recorder of Deeds Dawn Blauch
• Vanessa Buzey of Millcreek Township

The two non-endorsed candidates running for these seats on the Republican ballot in the May primary election are:

• Tyler Duvall, Lebanon, who is also vice chair of the Lebanon County Young Republicans Committee
• Rachel Moyer of Jackson Township

Important election dates

The following are important upcoming election dates for the 2026 May primary election on May 19: 

• May 4 – Last day to register to vote in the primary elections.
• May 12 – Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot
• May 19 – Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• May 19 – Completed mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m.