Emilio Vazquez (active 2017 - present) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who represented the 197th House district in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Emilio Vazquez | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 197th district | |
| In office April 5, 2017[1] – January 2, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Leslie Acosta |
| Succeeded by | Danilo Burgos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Philadelphia |
Political career
editVazquez was elected as a write-in candidate in a March 2017 special election to replace Leslie Acosta in Pennsylvania's 197th district. Acosta had resigned in January 2017 following her guilty plea to a fraud charge (the second recent state representative of the 197th district to do so), while the original Democratic candidate to succeed her was kicked off the ballot for not actually residing in the 197th district.[2] While Vazquez was sworn into office, this election is currently under investigation by the Philadelphia Attorney General's Office and Pennsylvania Attorney General.[3] Vazquez is also currently a defendant in a federal lawsuit regarding instances of widespread voter intimidation and election fraud for the election of which he was declared the winner. There is a possibility that the federal court could declare the election null and void and order an entirely new election.[4] Vazquez is a Democratic ward leader and Philadelphia Parking Authority employee.[5]
In the 2018 Democratic primary for his seat, Vazquez placed third, losing to former City Council aide Danilo Burgos. Burgos is the current Representative for Pennsylvania's 197th district.[6]
Election results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emilio Vazquez (write-in) | 1,972 | 73.20 | |
| Green | Cheri Honkala (write-in) | 286 | 10.62 | |
| Republican | Lucinda Little | 201 | 7.46 | |
| Write-in | 235 | 8.72 | ||
| Total votes | 2,694 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Danilo Burgos | 1,296 | 37.17 | |
| Democratic | Frederick Ramirez | 1,199 | 34.38 | |
| Democratic | Emilio Vazquez | 992 | 28.45 | |
| Total votes | 3,487 | 100.00 | ||
References
edit- ^ Brennan, Chris. "Vazquez sworn in for 197th District seat as investigation, lawsuit loom". philly.com.
- ^ "As the 197th Turns: Decision Day Draws Near For Special Election Chock Full of Residency Hearings, Felonies, Write-In Candidates, Threats, Vandalism and PA Supreme Court Rulings –". Spirit News. 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ "Welcome | Philadelphia Magazine". Phillymag.com. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ "Honkala will sue to void 197th election, alleging 'massive fraud and misconduct'". PhillyVoice. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ Brian Hickey (24 March 2017). "Honkala on 197th election drama: 'It's all an inside job'". PhillyVoice. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
- ^ "Representative Danilo Burgos".