PA: Prokopiak (D) Captures HD-140 Special Election

[RandySF]

Levittown attorney and Pennsbury School Board member Jim Prokopiak is the winner of the Pennsylvania State House special election in the 140th Legislative District.

With all 33 precincts reporting, Prokopiak, a Democrat, received 67 percent of the vote, while Republican candidate Candace Cabanas pulled in 32%.

“I ran for this seat because I want to make peoples’ lives easier in Bucks County,” said Prokopiak. “What I heard from voters is that Bucks County residents need help supporting their families, want control over their own bodies, and ensure they have the ability to chart their own paths in life. I’m committed to taking my conversations with voters to Harrisburg and making their dreams a reality.

“I want to thank voters in my district who put their trust in me, as well as the DLCC for their support. I’m excited to get to work with the House Democratic majority to deliver for families across Bucks County and Pennsylvania. I’m honored to join the Pennsylvania Democratic caucus and look forward to being back on the ballot for a full term in November.”



https://www.politicspa.com/prokopiak-captures-pa-140-special-election/131745/

[elleng]

1. Just on Lawrence show.

[gab13by13]

2. Did the polls have it a toss up?

[RandySF]

3. I never saw a poll for this race.

[Deminpenn]

4. Unlike O'Donnell, don't read too much into Prokopiak's win

HD-140 is Dem district. Galloway, who represented it before he resigned after being elected a district magistrate, ran unopposed in 2022. I suppose it's an improvement that the Rs actually fielded a candidate to run against Prokopiak in the special election.

It is true that Prokopiak swept every precinct, but turnout was only 23% and less than that in Falls Twp, a big chunk of the district, where Prokopiak had served in township government.

The state house is often at less than 100% membership so all the hand-wringing over the 1 seat Dem majority hanging in the balance with every special election, while true, is overblown. The 2022 state legislative redistricting undid a lot of the extreme partisan gerry-mandering the Rs did and created more competitive seats, but there are still many uncompetitive HDs. Like the 3 seats in Pgh/Allegheny county that were vacant (Lee, Gainey. Davis), HD-140 is heavily Democratic.