Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.
Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District election, 2016
2018 →
← 2014
|
 |
November 8, 2016 |
April 26, 2016 |
Ryan Costello  |
Ryan Costello |
 |
Cook Political Report: Likely R[1] Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe R[2] Rothenberg & Gonzales: Safe R[3] |
 |
The 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2016.
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Ryan Costello (R) defeated Mike Parrish (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent in April.[4][5]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Pennsylvania utilizes a closed primary process. Voters are required to register with a political party to vote in the primary election.[6]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Incumbent: The incumbent heading into the election was Ryan Costello (R), who was first elected in 2014.
As of the 2010 redistricting cycle, Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District was located in the south eastern portion of Pennsylvania and included portions of Lebanon, Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.[7]
Election results
General election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Ryan Costello Incumbent |
57.2% | 207,469 | |
| Democratic | Mike Parrish | 42.8% | 155,000 | |
| Total Votes | 362,469 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Candidates
|
General election candidates: Ryan Costello  Mike Parrish |
|
Primary candidates:[8] |
|
Democratic |
Republican |
|
Withdrew: Lindy Li (D)[9][11] |
Race background
Incumbent Ryan Costello was a member of the NRCC's Patriot Program. The program was designed to help raise money and assist vulnerable incumbents seeking re-election.[12]
Noteworthy events
In late February 2016, Mike Parrish challenged Lindy Li's filing signatures, arguing that she should not appear on the April 26, 2016, primary ballot because her documents were "rife with errors." His campaign stated, "The objectors believe fairness matters, and the fact that they can successfully challenge 85% of the Li campaign signatures is indicative of that campaign’s inability to properly understand and follow the basic procedures set in place by our Commonwealth." [13]
Li responded with the following statement, "It’s becoming increasingly clear that Mr. Parrish doesn’t want this campaign to be focused on the issues facing Americans everyday [sic]. PA-6 residents are struggling to pay off their student loan debt, concerned about national security, and disappointed with our elected officials in Washington. If the only thing that Parrish is focused on is kicking me off the ballot, then I seriously doubt his commitment to the citizens of the 6th District. Instead of engaging in a battle of ideas, he’s retreating to lawsuits."[13]
Li ultimately withdrew from the race as a result of the challenge to her signatures.
District history
2014
Ryan Costello (R) won election to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. He defeated Manan Trivedi (D) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ryan Costello |
56.3% | 119,643 | |
| Democratic | Manan Trivedi | 43.7% | 92,901 | |
| Total Votes | 212,544 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
2012
The 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Jim Gerlach (R) won re-election in the district.[14]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Manan Trivedi | 42.9% | 143,803 | |
| Republican | Jim Gerlach Incumbent |
57.1% | 191,725 | |
| Total Votes | 335,528 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Important dates and deadlines
- See also: Pennsylvania elections, 2016
The calendar below listed important dates for political candidates in Pennsylvania in 2016.
| Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | Event type | Event description |
| February 16, 2016 | Ballot access | Last day to file nomination petitions for the primary election |
| March 15, 2016 | Campaign finance | Sixth Tuesday pre-primary report due |
| April 15, 2016 | Campaign finance | Second Friday pre-primary report due |
| April 26, 2016 | Election date | Primary election |
| May 26, 2016 | Campaign finance | 30-day post-primary report due |
| August 1, 2016 | Ballot access | Last day to file nomination petitions for the general election |
| September 27, 2016 | Campaign finance | Sixth Tuesday pre-general report due |
| October 28, 2016 | Campaign finance | Second Friday pre-general report due |
| November 8, 2016 | Election date | General election |
| December 8, 2016 | Campaign finance | 30-day post-general report due |
| January 31, 2017 | Campaign finance | 2016 annual report due |
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, "2016 Election Calendar," accessed January 11, 2016 | ||
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2016
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
Footnotes
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2016 House Race Ratings for July 11, 2016," accessed July 19, 2016
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2016 House," accessed July 18, 2016
- ↑ Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, "House Ratings," accessed July 19, 2016
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Unofficial Candidate Listing – Pre Ballot Lottery," accessed February 17, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pennsylvania Primary Results," April 26, 2016
- ↑ FindLaw, "Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 299," accessed September 15, 2025
- ↑ Pennsylvania Redistricting Map "Map" accessed July 30, 2012
- ↑ Candidates are listed by party and alphabetically within each party.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Pennsylvania Department of State, "Unofficial Candidate Listing – Pre Ballot Lottery," accessed February 17, 2016
- ↑ Philly.com, "Parrish launches campaign for Congress in PA-6," June 23, 2015
- ↑ Politics PA, "BREAKING: PA-6: Li Switches Elections," December 30, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, "Exclusive: NRCC Adds 8 More Vulnerable Members to Patriot Program," May 1, 2015
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Politics PA, "PA-6: Parrish to Challenge Li’s Petition Signatures," February 25, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Pennsylvania"
For information about public policy issues in the 2016 elections, see: Public policy in the 2016 elections!
