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Pennsylvania lawmaker stricken with brain cancer dies

A Pennsylvania state senator died Sunday after his battle with brain cancer.

Sen. David J. Arnold Jr., R-Lebanon, peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side, according to a statement released by Arnold’s staff. Arnold was 49. He is survived by his wife Alicia and daughter Reese.

After serving 14 years as Lebanon County’s district attorney, Arnold ran for and won the state Senate seat in a special election in January 2020. In early November 2019, during the campaign, he announced that he had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and had undergone surgery to remove it, according to the Associated Press.

Arnold had also served on the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission and as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Closer to home, he had coached youth basketball and softball, the AP said.

In a statement, Senate Republican leaders called Arnold “a good man and committed leader.”

“From the moment voters sent Dave to Harrisburg one year ago, he worked tirelessly for his constituents and the Commonwealth. This was not a surprise to anyone who knew him. It was a continuation of a record of public service marked by independence and integrity,” the statement said.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman released a statement, saying, “I am truly heartbroken over the loss of Senator Arnold. I say this as President of the Senate, as a Pennsylvanian, and as a father. Our family extends our*most sincere condolences to his.”

Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) released a statement stating, “Throughout his career in public service, Sen. Arnold showed a relentless commitment to justice and advancing the betterment of Pennsylvanians. His voice in the pursuit of what is right will be missed.”