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Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 is represented by Dane Watro Jr. (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state representatives represented an average of 64,098 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 62,734 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Pennsylvania legislators assume office on the first day of December after a general election.[1]
Qualifications
Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution states:[2]
| “ | Senators shall be at least 25 years of age and Representatives 21 years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of the State four years, and inhabitants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State), and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.[3] | ” |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $106,422.33/year | $185/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election. There are no deadlines set in the state constitution on when a special election can be held.[5]
See sources: Pennsylvania Cons. Art. II, §2
2016 pivot county
This district was one of 710 state legislative districts that, based on boundaries adopted after the 2010 census, intersected with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012.
The 206 Pivot Counties were located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. At that time, the partisan makeup of state legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties was slightly more Republican than the overall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.[6]
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
On February 4, 2022, the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve new state House and Senate maps.[7] House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R) voted no, while Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R), state Rep. Joanna McClinton (D), state Sen. Jay Costa (D), and chairman Mark Nordenberg voted yes.[7] These maps took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 legislative elections.
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.[8]
State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:[8]
- 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.[8]
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.[8]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
until November 30, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
starting December 1, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Dane Watro Jr. defeated Deborah Adoff in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dane Watro Jr. (R) | 72.3 | 15,237 |
 | Deborah Adoff (D) | 27.5 | 5,792 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 38 | ||
| Total votes: 21,067 | |||
 = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Deborah Adoff advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Deborah Adoff | 97.9 | 1,893 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.1 | 40 | ||
| Total votes: 1,933 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Dane Watro Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dane Watro Jr. | 99.4 | 3,509 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 22 | ||
| Total votes: 3,531 | |||
| = 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
Special election
A special election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 was called for April 5, 2022. The filing deadline passed on February 14, 2022.[9][10]
The seat became vacant after Tarah Toohil (R) resigned after being elected to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.[10]
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Robert Schnee defeated Amilcar Arroyo and Paul Cwalina in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on April 5, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Robert Schnee (R) | 65.5 | 2,797 |
| Amilcar Arroyo (D) | 29.6 | 1,262 | ||
| Paul Cwalina (L) | 4.9 | 211 | ||
| Total votes: 4,270 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Regular election
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Dane Watro Jr. defeated Yesenia Rodriguez in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dane Watro Jr. (R) | 68.2 | 9,811 |
| Yesenia Rodriguez (D) | 31.8 | 4,571 | ||
| Total votes: 14,382 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Yesenia Rodriguez advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Yesenia Rodriguez | 100.0 | 2,132 | |
| Total votes: 2,132 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dane Watro Jr. | 40.5 | 2,188 |
| Michael Larocca | 17.7 | 958 | ||
| John Chura | 15.0 | 809 | ||
| Gary Perna Jr. | 11.0 | 595 | ||
| Nico Makuta | 8.7 | 471 | ||
| Dyllan Ogurkis | 7.1 | 384 | ||
| Total votes: 5,405 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Tarah Toohil defeated Todd Eachus in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tarah Toohil (R) | 72.3 | 19,167 |
| Todd Eachus (D) | 27.7 | 7,338 | ||
| Total votes: 26,505 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Todd Eachus advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Todd Eachus | 100.0 | 3,510 | |
| Total votes: 3,510 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Tarah Toohil advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Toohil | 100.0 | 6,293 |
| Total votes: 6,293 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Tarah Toohil won election in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Toohil (R) | 100.0 | 14,996 |
| Total votes: 14,996 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116
Incumbent Tarah Toohil advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Toohil | 100.0 | 3,833 |
| Total votes: 3,833 | |||
| = 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
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016.
Incumbent Tarah Toohil defeated Gary Gregory in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 general election.[11][12]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116, General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Tarah Toohil Incumbent |
70.19% | 16,695 | |
| Democratic | Gary Gregory | 29.81% | 7,089 | |
| Total Votes | 23,784 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Gary Gregory ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 Democratic primary.[13][14]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 116 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Gary Gregory (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Tarah Toohil ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 Republican primary.[13][14]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 116 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Tarah Toohil Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Incumbent Tarah Toohil was unopposed in the Republican primary. Toohil was unchallenged in the general election.[15][16][17]
2012
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on April 24, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 16, 2012. Incumbent Tarah Toohil (R) defeated Ransom Young (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.[18][19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tarah Toohil Incumbent |
67.2% | 14,671 | |
| Democratic | Ransom Young | 32.8% | 7,157 | |
| Total Votes | 21,828 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 raised a total of $3,763,496. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $129,776 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 116 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $257,358 | 2 | $128,679 |
| 2022 | $292,595 | 10 | $29,260 |
| 2020 | $320,762 | 2 | $160,381 |
| 2018 | $58,220 | 1 | $58,220 |
| 2016 | $64,965 | 2 | $32,483 |
| 2014 | $50,687 | 1 | $50,687 |
| 2012 | $202,263 | 2 | $101,132 |
| 2010 | $1,280,457 | 2 | $640,229 |
| 2008 | $709,470 | 1 | $709,470 |
| 2006 | $142,521 | 1 | $142,521 |
| 2004 | $221,575 | 2 | $110,788 |
| 2002 | $30,725 | 1 | $30,725 |
| 2000 | $131,897 | 2 | $65,949 |
| Total | $3,763,496 | 29 | $129,776 |
See also
- Pennsylvania State Legislature
- Pennsylvania State Senate
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Pennsylvania state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Pennsylvania Constitution, "Article II, Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ The Constitution of Pennsylvania, "Article II, Section 5: Qualifications of members," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ State of Pennsylvania, "Pennsylvania Constitution," accessed February 15, 2021 (Article II, Section 2)
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddr - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 All About Redistricting, "Pennsylvania," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Ballotpedia Staff, "Email communication with PA Elections Office of Communications and Press," January 19, 2022
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Fox 56 WOLF, "Special election to fill vacant seat in 116th Legislative District, ordered for April 5th," January 10, 2022
- ↑ Pennsylvania Voter Services, "Candidate listing," accessed August 31, 2016
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "November 8, 2016, official election results," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Pennsylvania Secretary of State, "Election Information," accessed February 18, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Pennsylvania Department of State, "2016 Presidential Primary," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Official primary results for May 20, 2014," accessed July 9, 2014
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2014 Official Candidate Listing," accessed March 21, 2014
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2014 General Election," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Secretary of State - Official General Election Results," accessed November 4, 2013
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Secretary of State - Official Primary Election Results," accessed November 4, 2013
