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Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District
Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Glenn Thompson (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania representatives represented an average of 765,403 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 707,495 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2024
Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (April 23 Republican primary)
Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (April 23 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson defeated Zach Womer in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Glenn Thompson (R) | 71.3 | 279,027 |
 | Zach Womer (D)  | 28.5 | 111,408 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 782 | ||
| Total votes: 391,217 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Zach Womer advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zach Womer | 98.5 | 35,574 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.5 | 555 | ||
| Total votes: 36,129 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson | 99.0 | 75,645 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 790 | ||
| Total votes: 76,435 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson defeated Michael Molesevich in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson (R) | 69.9 | 213,417 |
 | Michael Molesevich (D) | 30.1 | 91,729 | |
| Total votes: 305,146 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Michael Molesevich defeated Ronnie Ray Jenkins in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Molesevich (Write-in) | 32.9 | 3,380 |
 | Ronnie Ray Jenkins (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 67.1 | 6,904 | ||
| Total votes: 10,284 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Rick Telesz (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson | 98.3 | 99,270 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.7 | 1,756 | ||
| Total votes: 101,026 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- George Rathmell (R)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson defeated Robert Williams and Ronnie Ray Jenkins in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson (R) | 73.5 | 255,058 |
 | Robert Williams (D) | 26.5 | 92,156 | |
| Ronnie Ray Jenkins (D) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Total votes: 347,214 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Robert Williams advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Williams | 100.0 | 48,714 |
| Total votes: 48,714 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson | 100.0 | 88,364 |
| Total votes: 88,364 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
Results of 2018 redistricting
On February 19, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted a new congressional district map after ruling that the original map constituted an illegal partisan gerrymander. District locations and numbers were changed by the new map. Candidates were listed under Pennsylvania’s new districts, which were used in the 2018 congressional elections. Click here for more information about the ruling.
The chart below compares this new district with the old district that was the most geographically similar to it.
| Old district[1] | Prior incumbent | Prior 2016 presidential result | New 2016 presidential result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th District | Glenn Thompson (R) | R+28.8 | R+43.4 |
Not sure which district you're in? Find out here.
Click the box below to see how the new congressional districts compare to the ones in place before the redrawing.
Regular election
General election
General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson defeated Susan Boser in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson (R) | 67.8 | 165,245 |
 | Susan Boser (D) | 32.2 | 78,327 | |
| Total votes: 243,572 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Susan Boser defeated Wade Jodun in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Susan Boser | 74.6 | 20,411 |
 | Wade Jodun | 25.4 | 6,965 | |
| Total votes: 27,376 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Incumbent Glenn Thompson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Glenn Thompson | 100.0 | 45,322 |
| Total votes: 45,322 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Special election
General election
Special general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15
Susan Wild defeated Marty Nothstein and Tim Silfies in the special general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Susan Wild (D) | 48.5 | 130,353 |
 | Marty Nothstein (R) | 48.3 | 129,594 | |
 | Tim Silfies (L) | 3.2 | 8,579 | |
| Total votes: 268,526 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Charlie Dent (R) defeated Rick Daugherty (D) and Paul Rizzo (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. No candidate faced a primary opponent in April.[7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Charlie Dent Incumbent |
58.4% | 190,618 | |
| Democratic | Rick Daugherty | 38% | 124,129 | |
| Libertarian | Paul Rizzo | 3.6% | 11,727 | |
| Total Votes | 326,474 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
2014
The 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Charlie Dent (R) ran unopposed in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charlie Dent Incumbent |
100% | 128,285 | |
| Total Votes | 128,285 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Charlie Dent won re-election in the district.[9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rick Daugherty | 43.2% | 128,764 | |
| Republican | Charlie Dent Incumbent |
56.8% | 168,960 | |
| Total Votes | 297,724 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Charles W. Dent won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John B. Callahan (D) and Jake Towne (Towne for Congress) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Charles W. Dent incumbent |
53.5% | 109,534 | |
| Democratic | John B. Callahan | 39% | 79,766 | |
| Towne for Congress | Jake Towne | 7.5% | 15,248 | |
| Total Votes | 204,548 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Charles W. Dent won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Sam Bennett (D) in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Charles W. Dent incumbent |
58.6% | 181,433 | |
| Democratic | Sam Bennett | 41.4% | 128,333 | |
| Total Votes | 309,766 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Charles W. Dent won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles Dertinger (D), Greta Browne (Green) and Write-in challengers in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Charles W. Dent incumbent |
53.6% | 106,153 | |
| Democratic | Charles Dertinger | 43.5% | 86,186 | |
| Green | Greta Browne | 2.9% | 5,802 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 32 | |
| Total Votes | 198,173 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Charles W. Dent won election to the United States House. He defeated Joe Driscoll (D), Richard J. Piotrowski (L) and Greta Browne (Green) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Charles W. Dent |
58.6% | 170,634 | |
| Democratic | Joe Driscoll | 39.4% | 114,646 | |
| Libertarian | Richard J. Piotrowski | 1.3% | 3,660 | |
| Green | Greta Browne | 0.8% | 2,194 | |
| Total Votes | 291,134 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Patrick J. Toomey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Edward J. O'Brien (D) and various write-in candidates in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Patrick J. Toomey incumbent |
57.4% | 98,493 | |
| Democratic | Edward J. O'Brien | 42.6% | 73,212 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 8 | |
| Total Votes | 171,713 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Pat Toomey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ed O'Brien (D) in the general election.[15]
| U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 15 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Patrick J. Toomey incumbent |
53.3% | 118,307 | |
| Democratic | Ed O'Brien | 46.7% | 103,864 | |
| Total Votes | 222,171 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2021
On February 23, 2022, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled to enact a new congressional map.[16] Over a dozen maps were submitted to the supreme court, including the map approved by the legislature. The court ultimately selected the Carter map in a 4-3 ruling, which was submitted by a group of Pennsylvania citizens who were petitioners in a redistricting-related lawsuit. Justices Debra Todd (D), Sallie Mundy (R), and Kevin Brobson (R) dissented.[17] Spotlight PA's Kate Huangpu wrote that the map is "as similar as possible to the current congressional map, with nearly 90% of residents staying in the same district."[17] This map took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 congressional elections.
The state supreme court took authority over the redistricting process after Gov. Tom Wolf (D) vetoed the legislature's enacted map on January 26.[18] The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to approve the initial map 110-91 on January 12, and the Pennsylvania State Senate voted 29-20 to approve the map on January 24.[19][20] Following Wolf's veto, the authority for determining a new map initially rested with a lower court, but in a February 2 ruling the supreme court ruled that it would have control over the process to select a new congressional map.[21]
How does redistricting in Pennsylvania work? In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with the Pennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.[22]
State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:[22]
- The majority leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The minority leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The majority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The minority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The first four commissioners appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission's chair. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must appoint a commission chair.[22]
The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Further, state legislative districts should "respect county, city, incorporated town, borough, township and ward boundaries." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[22]
Pennsylvania District 15
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Pennsylvania District 15
starting January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2018
On January 22, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the state's congressional district map, finding that the map constituted an illegal partisan gerrymander. On February 19, 2018, the court adopted a remedial map for use in the 2018 election cycle. Pennsylvania Republicans filed suit in federal district court to prevent implementation of the new map. The district court dismissed the suit on March 19, 2018. State Republicans also petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to stay the state supreme court's order pending appeal. The court rejected this request on March 19, 2018. To learn more, see here.
2010-2011
The Legislative Reapportionment Commission in Pennsylvania approved the GOP-proposed map. It was signed into law on December 22, 2001.[23][24]
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 15th the 38th most Republican district nationally.[25]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 15th the 39th most Republican district nationally.[26]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 67.8%-30.8%.[27]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 15th the 37th most Republican district nationally.[28]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 30.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 67.8%.[29]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+20. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 20 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District the 38th most Republican nationally.[30]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.06. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.06 points toward that party.[31]
See also
- Redistricting in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2024
- Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2022
- Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2020
- Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Refers to the old district that makes up a plurality of the new district.
- ↑ The old 1st and 11th Districts did not make up a plurality of any of the new districts. The 1st District went for Hillary Clinton by 61.3 percentage points and was represented by Bob Brady (D). The 11th District went for Donald Trump by 23.8 percentage points and was represented by Lou Barletta (R).
- ↑ District 13 incumbent Brendan Boyle (D) filed for re-election in the new 2nd District.
- ↑ District 17 incumbent Matt Cartwright (D) filed for re-election in the new 8th District.
- ↑ Lamb was elected in a March 2018 special election to replace Rep. Tim Murphy (R).
- ↑ Lamb filed to run for PA-17 in the 2018 election.
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Unofficial Candidate Listing – Pre Ballot Lottery," accessed February 17, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pennsylvania Primary Results," April 26, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Pennsylvania"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Pennsylvania Supreme Court, "Order," February 23, 2022
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Spotlight PA, "Pennsylvania Supreme Court picks congressional map put forth by state voters," February 23, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedpsc - ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 All About Redistricting, "Pennsylvania," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ ABC 27, "Corbett signs off on new congressional map," December 22, 2011
- ↑ The Republic, "Senate Democrats and Chester County group plan to contest Pa. legislative redistricting plan," January 7, 2012
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
