Lancaster County commissioner candidate Scott Martin resigned his $68,000-a-year position this week with the county Youth Intervention Center to concentrate on his campaign.

He handed a letter of resignation to the board of commissioners Wednesday.

Martin's action was prompted by a federal law called the Hatch Act. It prohibits employees of agencies that receive federal funds from running for public office.

Since January, questions had been raised on the campaign trail about whether Martin, a Republican, was violating the law by working as the center's director.

He said the U.S. Special Counsel's office informed him Monday he has until April 2 to comply with the Hatch Act.

"The process was followed to a T," Martin said. "There was nothing to hide. The law was followed."

He said after April 2 he will rely on his license as a real-estate agent for income, and he added there was never a doubt about choosing between remaining employed or running for commissioner.

"I really believe in what I'm doing," Martin said. "When you are confident in yourself and the loving support of your wife and your friends and your party, it gives you the confidence to take that risk and make it work."

Martin and fellow GOP commissioner candidate Dennis Stuckey, the county controller, were endorsed last month by Lancaster County Republican Committee.

They face two unendorsed candidates — Heidi Wheaton, an East Hempfield Township supervisor, and Charlie Smithgall, former Lancaster city mayor, in the Republican primary.

GOP voters will nominate two from that list May 15. The winners will face two Democrats and any third-party candidates in the November election for three posts.

Martin said he was asked in January about the Hatch Act by a Republican panel screening candidates, and at the time he said he didn't know about the act.

He said Smithgall also questioned him about a possible violation during a political event soon afterward.

Martin then sought a ruling by the U.S. Special Counsel's office.

The Youth Intervention Center — where Martin has worked for 14 years, the last 18 months as its director — receives federal funds for the National Breakfast and Lunch program, which prohibits Martin from working there and running for public office.

He also will resign as vice president of Juvenile Detention Centers Association of Pennsylvania for the same reason.

Dave Dumeyer, chairman of the county Republican Committee, said the issue won't be a liability during the campaign.

"He's handled it correctly," Dumeyer said. "He initiated the inquiry to the appropriate agency."

The Hatch Act doesn't apply to Lancaster County District Attorney Donald Totaro. Totaro is running this year for a seat on the county Court of Common Pleas, but because he is an elected official, the Hatch Act doesn't apply to him, Totaro said earlier this month.

Totaro also said assistant district attorneys running for office are exempted if they do not have control of how federal money is spent or connected to programs that are paid for in whole or in part by federal dollars.

"We are always vigilant about ethical issues, and we will reassess the situation if necessary," Totaro said.

Assistant District Attorneys Chris Hackman and Heidi Eakin are running for the county bench, and Craig Stedman is pursuing the district attorney's post.

Totaro said the District Attorney's office receives federal funds for anti-drug, anti-domestic violence and victim/witness protection programs.

E-mail: dpidgeon@lnpnews.com