Unofficial results: Timko wins Republican nod in highly contested race for 12th district state house seat
Scott Timko appears to have won the Republican nod for the 12th district seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives following a tight race against Ethan Nicholas, according to unofficial election results Tuesday evening, May 19.
Timko, a Cranberry Township resident and retired Air Force captain, received 3,201 votes — roughly 51% of the total reported in the night-of summary report. Nicholas received 2,984 votes in the Republican primary, and there were 71 write-in votes. Timko appears likely to proceed to the November election to compete against Democratic candidate Brandon Dukes, who was uncontested in the primary.
The results reported tonight are reflective of unofficial vote totals from the Butler County Bureau of Elections. The vote totals are not yet finalized and could change as provisional ballots are considered.
An evaluation begins Thursday and Elections Bureau director Chantell McCurdy said she hopes to have the results complete with a preliminary certification by the end of the week.
“We’ll have to see, but right now, I’m in a better position than the other side,” Timko said.
The southwestern Butler County district includes Cranberry, Adams and Jackson townships; Callery, Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Seven Fields, Valencia and Zelienople. The seat has been vacant since former Rep. Stephenie Scialabba resigned on March 31. She had held the position since 2023.
The Republican and Democratic winners for the May primary go on to face off in November, where the one who secures the most votes would start a two-year term on Jan. 1, 2027.
The winner of the Republican primary is also expected to be the party’s candidate in an August special election to serve the remainder of the current term, which was left vacant earlier this year with the resignation of Scialabba.
“We’ve been waiting for the precincts to come in. I don’t know if there’s enough votes. But I like where I stand,” Timko said. “Mail-ins and absentee ballots have already been counted, and we’re cautiously optimistic.”
Timko, a Cranberry resident and retired Air Force captain, ran on stances including cutting taxes and being tough on crime and illegal immigration.
Nicholas, a Cranberry resident and businessman, promoted ideals like cutting red tape, keeping taxes low and promoting a pro-business climate in Butler County.
Nicholas and Timko, who have both described themselves as lifelong conservatives, and expressed staunch support for President Donald Trump and his agenda and opposition to the stances of Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative Democrats.
In recent candidate forums, Nicholas and Timko both expressed support for school-choice policies, Trump’s immigration and economic policies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Nicholas has been more supportive of future data centers being built in Pennsylvania, viewing it as crucial for the state’s economic future; while Timko has expressed concerns about their impact on residents’ electric bills.
Nicholas had received support from local Republicans during the campaign. He touted endorsements from county commissioners Leslie Osche and Kim Geyer; Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger; county sheriff Mike Slupe; U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th; and state treasurer and Republican candidate for governor Stacy Garrity.
“Once we get the results in, either Ethan or I will make a phone call to each other. Until then, we will wait and see,” Timko said.
Nicholas could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is held by the Democrats with a slim majority — currently 102-99.
The special election is scheduled for Aug. 18. The general election is Nov. 3.
