That race to replace state Sen. Jane Earll, R-49th Dist., of Fairview Township, is shaping up to be highly competitive, at least on the Democratic ballot.

Janet Anderson, the former executive director of the Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission, is running on the GOP side. She has ties to Earll, previously working in her office as director of economic development.

Anderson might be the only one running for the Republicans. We’ll know after Thursday at 5 p.m., the filing deadline.

But the Democrats have at least six potential candidates, and five of them have already filed their nomination petitions to get on the April 24 ballot.

Those five are: lawyer Anthony “Buzz”  Andrezeski, the senator who served the 49th District before Earll; Millcreek School Board member Terry Scutella; Sean Wiley, director of foundation at Saint Vincent Health Center; Brian Pitzer, former director of public relations at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; and Erie School  Board member John Harkins.

A sixth Democrat, Larry B. Hiwiller Jr., owner of LBH Insurance, also is expected to meet Thursday’s deadline to file.

Democrats obviously see an opening to seize the seat. Republicans, of course, will make an all-out effort to keep it.

– John Guerriero