Aug 7: special election for Orie seat

From our breaking news page:

Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley has scheduled a special election for Aug. 7 to replace former Republican state Sen. Jane Orie.

Ms. Orie, 50, of McCandless, resigned from her legislative seat on Monday. She awaits sentencing, after an Allegheny County jury found her guilty of 14 criminal counts for misusing her legislative staff to do campaign work.

As the presiding officer in the Senate, the lieutenant governor is authorized to decide when special elections take place. The main requirement is that it must be more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.

"After consultations with the governor and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, I decided to set an early date so that the citizens of that Senate district could have representation as soon as possible," Mr. Cawley said in a statement. "They are entitled to their voice in the Senate."

Ms. Orie's North Hills seat stretches from the northern Pittsburgh suburbs into Butler County. Local officials from both parties will pick their nominees for the special election.

About 10 Republicans are interested in the seat, including former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods, who previously represented the 40th District. Dan DeMarco of Ross, who lost to Ms. Orie in 2010, is thought to be the main candidate on the Democratic side.

Who else is among the 10 Republicans said to be interested in the seat? Check out the list compiled by Tim McNulty earlier this week.

UPDATE: Hart has confirmed she is seeking the GOP nod. In special elections Democratic and Republican party officials from the legislative district choose the candidates for the ballot, and Republicans from Allegheny and Butler counties are expected to choose theirs sometime in the middle of June.