3 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 18:46 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:22 UTC
Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick filed a lawsuit on Thursday in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas seeking to disqualify Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia from serving on the county election board. The move follows Ellis-Marseglia's refusal to recuse herself after Fitzpatrick formally requested her withdrawal on Tuesday, citing her public support for his Democratic opponent, Bob Harvie. Fitzpatrick alleges that Ellis-Marseglia has shown a disdain for election law and has a conflict of interest due to her close relationship with Harvie and her participation in his campaign events.
The three-member board oversees election certification in the county, with Judge Jordan Yeager as chair and Republican Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo as another member. Bucks County Solicitor Dan Grieser responded to Fitzpatrick's request on Wednesday, stating Ellis-Marseglia has a First Amendment right to express political views and has always certified election results impartially, including those of Republican candidates she opposes. The lawsuit comes five days before the election, as Fitzpatrick and Harvie face off in a tight contest for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District.
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