Democrats capture seat in Pennsylvania special elections
From Ballotpedia
April 25, 2012
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania held six special elections for the state House of Representatives. Out of the six races, only one seat changed partisan hands--House District 169 was captured by Edward Neilson (D). Candidates in the special elections were chosen by local party leaders. The special elections coincided with Pennsylvania's regular primary elections, and several candidates took part in both elections.
A breakdown of the special elections:
- Pennsylvania House District 22: Martin Schmotzer (D) defeated Chris Cratsley (R), garnering 56% of the vote. Schmotzer will replace Chelsa Wagner (D) who resigned in January after being elected Allegheny County controller in November.[1]
- Pennsylvania House District 134: Ryan Mackenzie (R) defeated Patrick Slattery (D), garnering 60% of the vote. Mackenzie will replace Douglas Reichley (R) who resigned after being elected Lehigh County judge in November.[2][3]
- Pennsylvania House District 153: Madeleine Dean (D) defeated Nicholas Mattiacci, garnering 56% of the vote. Dean will replace Josh Shapiro (D) who resigned in December after being elected Montgomery County Commissioner in November.[4]
- Pennsylvania House District 169: Edward Neilson (D) defeated David Kralle (R), capturing the seat formerly held by Dennis O'Brien (R). Neilson captured 54% of the vote. He will replace Dennis O'Brien (R) who resigned after being elected to the Philadelphia City Council in November.[5]
- Pennsylvania House District 186: Harold James (D) defeated Barbara Hankinson (R), garnering 94% of the vote. He will replace Kenyatta Johnson (D) who resigned after being elected to the Philadelphia City Council in November.[6]
- Pennsylvania House District 197: Gary Williams (D) defeated Steve Crum (R) and Milton Street (I), garnering 75% of the vote. Williams will replace Jewell Williams (D) who resigned after being elected Philadelphia sheriff in November.[7]
Partisan impact
Democrats succeeded in flipping one seat, House District 169.
Pennsylvania House Partisan Balance
| Party | As of September 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 91 | |
| Republican Party | 111 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | |
| Total | 203 | |
See also
|
- State legislative special elections, 2012
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2012
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Footnotes
- ↑ Allegheny County, SUMMARY REPORT, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Lehigh County, 2012 Special Election General Primary, April 24, 2011
- ↑ Berks County, "134th Special Election, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Unofficial Results, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Philadelphia County April 24, 2012 General and Special Election Unofficial Results, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Philadelphia County April 24, 2012 General and Special Election Unofficial Results, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Philadelphia County April 24, 2012 General and Special Election Unofficial Results, April 24, 2012
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