Lancaster Online
November 20, 2025
Manheim Township Commissioner Mary Jo Huyard made it official on Thursday: She’s seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic state Sen. James Malone in the 36th District.
Huyard, 46, becomes the fourth GOP candidate to enter the race for a Senate seat that unexpectedly flipped to Democrats in a March special election. She said she’s the conservative candidate who has the best chance at winning in 2026.
“I’m not part of the political class, and I’m not looking to climb the political ladder,” Huyard said. “I’m running to serve the everyday person, because that’s who I am.”
The three Republicans who have already said they’re running are: State Rep. Tom Jones of the 98th House District, former Rapho Township supervisor Jere Swarr and New Holland Borough Council President Patrick Morgan.
County Commissioner Josh Parsons has also not ruled out a rematch against Malone, who bested him by just 526 votes in the special election called to fill the seat left vacant after Ryan Aument resigned to take a job for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. Parsons in April said he would not “close the door” on running again, though he did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
When asked about Parsons’ loss to Malone, Huyard said it was clear the party did not select the right candidate for the district based on the results.
“I really think our party needs to take a good hard look at who we’re putting up and (endorse) someone that can relate to everyone in all walks of life,” she said. “As much as (the special election) was a disappointment, I do feel like this is a winnable Republican seat.”
Huyard said her experience growing up on a farm in Georgia, starting her Lancaster-based window treatment business and raising four children will connect her to the average person living in the district. If elected, Huyard said she wants to improve access to mental health care and address rising costs of groceries, gas and electricity.
Bright red
Republicans make up 52.6% of registered voters in the 36th District, which covers 25 municipalities in the northern half of Lancaster County, from Conoy Township to New Holland Borough and Manheim Township to Elizabeth Township.
While Democrats saw major wins in municipal and school board races in Manheim Township and East Hempfield this month, Huyard said she believes she can garner support in those areas by meeting voters at their doors to talk about issues.
Huyard was a part of a competitive township commissioner race in 2021 that saw Republicans raise a record $96,960 to regain control of the board just two years after Democrats won a majority.
Huyard said she plans to bring the same fundraising power to the race next year.
Malone is so far the lone Democrat in the race. When asked about the growing field of Republican opponents, he said he’s staying focused on serving his constituents.
“The Republican Party needs to figure themselves out, and once they do, we’ll all deal with each other,” Malone said.
Securing GOP support
The first step in the race for the GOP nod for a legislative seat is winning the endorsement of the area Republican committees covered by a particular district.
Kirk Radanovic, county GOP chair, said candidates who wish to be considered for the party’s support must submit an official letter of intent by mid- to late December. The party’s annual endorsement convention, which is open to the public, will be Feb. 17.
Ahead of that convention, the candidates are expected to meet with area committee members to make a pitch for support.
The candidate securing the party’s official endorsement almost always wins the primary election in Lancaster County, and it is common for candidates who fail to earn the endorsement to drop out of the race. Endorsed candidates get significant help from GOP committee members when it comes to gathering signatures to appear on the ballot and organizing voter outreach.
State Senate candidates must gather 500 signatures from registered party members residing within the district they are seeking to represent.
The deadline to file signatures is March 10. The spring primary will occur on May 19.
