Democrats maintain control of Pennsylvania House after Bucks County special election

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania House Democrats have again won a special election that helps preserve their majority, this time in suburban Philadelphia.

The Associated Press called the Bucks County race for Democrat Jim Prokopiak, a local school board member, shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Prokopiak faced Republican Candace Cabanas, a home health care worker.

The seat was vacated by former state Rep. John Galloway, a Democrat who resigned in December after winning a local judgeship.

Prokopiak is the sixth Democrat to win a special election since the start of the latest legislative session in January 2023. During this period, the party has navigated a half-dozen vacancies created by a death, members winning other offices, and a resignation due to allegations of sexual harassment.

The Democrat was favored to win Tuesday’s election due to the political registration and voting history of the district. The other five special elections had similar backgrounds.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS