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A York County lawmaker has stepped down from his position in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives following concerns about potential conflicts of interest between his legislative role and new private sector job.
State Representative Seth Grove, a Republican who has represented the 196th Legislative District since 2008, announced his resignation effective January 31, 2026. The resignation comes after Grove recently took on the role of president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) on January 1, while simultaneously serving as the Minority Chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee.
The dual positions sparked criticism from colleagues and advocacy groups who viewed it as a conflict of interest. State Representative Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny) expressed concerns prior to Grove's resignation announcement, stating, "This is an association that has a vested interest in the legislation that we move through the legislature, and especially as the minority chair of the Labor and Industry Committee, they have a particularly vested interest in what we move in that committee."
Angela Valvano, Executive Director of Better PA, a political action committee, had explicitly called for Grove's resignation on January 20. "Let's be clear about what's happening here: A legislator is now being paid by an industry trade association to advance their agenda while simultaneously voting on legislation that directly impacts that industry's bottom line," Valvano said in a statement.
Before announcing his resignation, Grove had defended his ability to manage both roles, telling abc27's Dennis Owens that as Minority Party Chair, he had "zero say in what happens in this place." He also claimed that lawyers for both the State House and his new employer had discussed potential concerns and created firewalls to avoid conflicts.
In his resignation statement released on January 28, Grove did not directly address the conflict of interest allegations. Instead, he expressed gratitude to his constituents: "This district shaped who I am, and to have had the opportunity to give back through public service is something I will always cherish. I am eternally grateful to the people who placed their trust and faith in me over the years."
Grove had previously announced in May 2025 that he would not seek re-election in 2026. During his time in office, he served in several leadership positions, including as majority chair of the House State Government Committee, chairman of the House Appropriations and Labor and Industry committees, and as the first chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee.
According to Pennsylvania state law, a special election must be held no sooner than 70 days after the seat becomes vacant to fill the remainder of Grove's term. The 196th District represents 10 York County municipalities, including Spring Grove and West Manchester townships.