2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election
The 2018 elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was held on November 6, 2018, with all districts being decided. The term of office for those that were elected in 2018 began when the House of Representatives convened in January 2019. Pennsylvania State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with all 203 seats up for election every two years.[1] The election coincided with the election for Governor and one-half of the State Senate. The Republican Party maintained its majority in the House of Representatives despite receiving less than 45% of the popular vote.
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All 203 seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 102 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Results: Republican hold Republican gain Democratic hold Democratic gain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Special elections
edit35th legislative district
editDemocratic state representative Marc Gergely resigned his seat on November 6, 2017, after pleading guilty to charges regarding an illegal gambling machine ring.[2] A special election for the 35th legislative district was held on January 23, 2018, to fill the seat.
Democrats selected Austin Davis, an assistant to Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald, as their nominee. Republicans nominated Fawn Walker-Montgomery. Davis won the special election in the heavily Democratic district.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Austin Davis | 3,209 | 73.97 | |
| Republican | Fawn Walker-Montgomery | 1,129 | 26.03 | |
| Total votes | 4,338 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
48th legislative district
editDemocratic state representative Brandon Neuman was elected to be a judge on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas in 2017.[4] A special election to fill his House seat was held on May 15, 2018, in conjunction with the 2018 primary.
Democrats nominated attorney Clark Mitchell Jr, while Republicans nominated Afghan War veteran Tim O'Neal. Both candidates also ran for their respective party's nomination for the 2018 general election. Libertarian candidate Demosthenes Agoris also ran in this special election. O'Neal won the special election, flipping a seat into GOP hands.[5]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tim O'Neal | 5,615 | 54.57 | |
| Democratic | Clark Mitchell Jr. | 4,512 | 43.85 | |
| Libertarian | Demosthenes Agoris | 162 | 1.57 | |
| Total votes | 10,289 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
68th legislative district
editRepublican state representative Matt E. Baker was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in March 2018.[6] A special election to fill his House seat was held on May 15, 2018, in conjunction with the 2018 primary.
Democrats nominated educator Carrie Heath, while Republicans nominated businessman Clint Owlett. Both candidates also ran for their respective party's nomination for the 2018 general election. Owlett won the special election in the heavily Republican district.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Clint Owlett | 7,840 | 75.87 | |
| Democratic | Carrie Heath | 2,493 | 24.13 | |
| Total votes | 10,333 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
178th legislative district
editRepublican state representative Scott Petri was named executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority in December 2017.[8] A special election to fill his House seat was held on May 15, 2018, in conjunction with the 2018 primary.
Democrats nominated Solebury Township supervisor Helen Tai, while Republicans nominated Council Rock School District board member Wendi Thomas. Both candidates also ran for their respective party's nomination for the 2018 general election. Tai defeated Thomas, flipping a seat for the Democrats, though Thomas would go on to win the seat back from Tai in the general election.[9]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Helen Tai | 6,366 | 50.4 | |
| Republican | Wendi Thomas | 6,265 | 49.6 | |
| Total votes | 12,631 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
General election results overview
edit
| Affiliation | Candidates | Votes | Vote % | Seats Won | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 144 | 2,075,093 | 44.43 | 110 ( 11)
| |
| Democratic | 183 | 2,568,968 | 55.00 | 93 ( 11)
| |
| Independent | 3 | 11,140 | 0.24 | 0 | |
| Libertarian | 10 | 8,214 | 0.18 | 0 | |
| Green | 2 | 6,849 | 0.15 | 0 | |
| Total | 342 | 4,670,264 | 100% | 203 | |
Close races
editDistricts where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 165, 0.5% (gain)
- District 49, 0.56%
- District 105, 1.64%
- District 178, 1.66%
- District 143, 1.68% (gain)
- District 144, 1.94%
- District 168, 2.34%
- District 160, 2.94%
- District 151, 2.98%
- District 162, 3.1% (gain)
- District 44, 3.68%
- District 53, 4.21% (gain)
- District 71, 4.28% (gain)
- District 167, 4.3% (gain)
- District 30, 4.54%
- District 72, 4.84%
- District 29, 5.4%
- District 26, 5.58%
- District 131, 5.64%
- District 119, 6.12%
- District 163, 6.84% (gain)
- District 158, 6.88% (gain)
- District 76, 7.44% (gain)
- District 61, 7.52% (gain)
- District 104, 8.96%
- District 28, 9.1%
- District 106, 9.16%
- District 155, 9.3% (gain)
- District 176, 9.48%
- District 129, 9.95%
- District 152, 9.98%
Results by district
editSource:[10]
References
edit- ^ Wikisource:Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1874/Article 2
- ^ Venteicher, Wesley (December 11, 2017). "Former Rep. Marc Gergely sentenced to probation in video gambling ring case". TribLIVE.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Lindstrom, Natasha (January 23, 2018). "Democrat Austin Davis wins state House special election in Mon Valley". TribLIVE.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Barbara (January 3, 2018). "Neuman sworn in as judge, resigns House seat". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Barbara (May 15, 2018). "O'Neal 'flips' 48th District in special election; faces rematch with Mitchell in November". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Briggs, Ryan (March 5, 2018). "State Rep. Matt Baker bows out for Trump administration appointment". City & State PA. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Murray, Jeff (June 14, 2018). "New Pa. state representative will be sworn in Tuesday". Star-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Boyle, James (December 18, 2017). "Scott Petri leaving Harrisburg to head Philadelphia Parking Authority". Bucks County Courier Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Friestad, Thomas (May 16, 2018). "Tai bests Thomas, nabbing six months as state representative in 178th district". The Intelligencer. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Official Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved November 27, 2018.