May 13, 2025 By Zach Petroff 3 min read

With over two years left in his four-year term, Fayette County Commissioner David Lohr has submitted a letter of resignation ending his nearly decade-long tenure.

“It wasn’t anything personal, it was just time to go ahead and make some changes in my life,” Lohr said. “I’ve been working my whole life – I haven’t seen an 8-hour day since I left the Navy in 1985, and now it’s time to spend time with my wife.”

Lohr, 68, said his decision to resign was not health related. He said he will continue to work at his insurance and security business while also taking his time to enjoy some of his hobbies such as auto restoration.

“Life is short, and it’s time to look at relaxing a little bit,” he said.

The Connellsville Republican left a letter of resignation dated for Friday, May 9 stating simply “I will be resigning,” along with his signature.

The last county commissioner to resign was Angela Zimmerlink, who had chosen not to run for reelection in 2019. She left her role in November 2019 and Scott Dunn was appointed to finish the last six weeks of her term. Dunn, however, had already secured his seat as a commissioner in the general election.

Lohr’s replacement will serve out the remaining two years and will be appointed by President Judge Steve P. Leskinen, according to county code. The replacement must be a Republican, like Lohr, at the time Lohr was elected in 2023.

Solicitor Jack Purcell how quickly the appointment is made is up to Leskinen.

“The code does not give out a specific time, the process will be as the court determines. … In the meantime we go with a quorum,” he said.

Until a new commissioner is elected, Dunn and Commissioner Vincent Vicites will have to agree on agenda items

“Deadlock means the action item does not pass,” Purcell said.

On Thursday, Vicites and Dunn will vote on accepting Lohr’s resignation.

“It’s more of a formality, but a necessary one,” Purcell said.

Lohr most recently has broken with Dunn and Vicities when it comes to funding of the Sheepskin Trail, citing often that he does not want to use taxpayer money, even from state funds, towards “luxury” items.

Neither Dunn nor Vicites returned calls for comment.

As for his time as a commissioner, Lohr said it has been an “honor to serve.”

“I was privileged to be a commissioner, and that’s not something a whole lot of people get to do and something that I’ll never forget,” he said.

“It was a good run.”