HARRISBURG, Pa. — A member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed away, according to an announcement from the House Democratic caucus on Sunday evening. This unfortunate event has resulted in an even split in the chamber, now standing at 101-101 between the two major parties.

Rep. Matt Gergely, a Democrat from Allegheny County, died on Sunday at the age of 45, as confirmed by House Democrats.

While the cause of his death has not been publicly shared by either the House Democratic caucus or Gergely’s family, it was reported two weeks ago that he had faced a “medical emergency over the holidays that required hospitalization” shortly before the legislature began its new two-year session earlier this month.

Democrats had previously secured a narrow one-seat majority in the November elections, a margin they had retained during the previous session. Gergely’s passing has left the legislative chamber tied at 101-101 until a special election can be organized to fill his seat representing the strongly Democratic district in the Pittsburgh area.

During the last two-year legislative session, House Democrats navigated various vacancies within their ranks, which sometimes hindered the legislative process. In the statement released Sunday evening, House Democrats indicated that Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Philadelphia, will announce the date for the special election to fill Gergely’s position in the near future.

“Matt will be tremendously missed in Harrisburg, and his loss is significant for the communities he served in Western Pennsylvania. We ask everyone to keep his wife and family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the House Democrats expressed in their statement.