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Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 is represented by David Rowe (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
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.[6] 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.[6] 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.[7]
State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:[7]
- 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.[7]
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.[7]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
until November 30, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
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 85
Incumbent David Rowe defeated Nick Jacobson in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe (R) | 71.7 | 24,977 | |
 | Nick Jacobson (D)  | 28.1 | 9,793 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 42 | ||
| Total votes: 34,812 | |||
| = 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 85
Nick Jacobson advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Nick Jacobson | 99.1 | 2,782 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 24 | ||
| Total votes: 2,806 | |||
| = 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
- Jared Hoffman (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
Incumbent David Rowe advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe | 99.2 | 7,287 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 62 | ||
| Total votes: 7,349 | |||
| = 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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
Incumbent David Rowe won election in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe (R) | 100.0 | 21,244 | |
| Total votes: 21,244 | |||
| = 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 85
Incumbent David Rowe advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe | 99.3 | 9,810 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 69 | ||
| Total votes: 9,879 | |||
| = 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 85
Incumbent David Rowe defeated Katie Evans in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe (R) | 68.1 | 20,783 | |
 | Katie Evans (D) | 31.9 | 9,719 | |
| Total votes: 30,502 | |||
| = 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 85
Katie Evans advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katie Evans (Write-in) | 100.0 | 1,017 |
| Total votes: 1,017 | |||
| = 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 85
Incumbent David Rowe advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe | 100.0 | 8,120 | |
| Total votes: 8,120 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2019
A special election for District 85 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was called for August 20, 2019. Candidates running for special elections in Pennsylvania are selected by their respective political parties.[8] The Republican nominating convention was held on June 12, 2019. Seventeen conferees chose David Rowe as the Republican nominee.[9] The Democratic Party held a nominating conference on June 20, 2019, choosing Jennifer Rager-Kay as the Democratic nominee.[10]
The seat became vacant after Fred Keller (R) resigned his seat on May 24, 2019. He was elected to Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District on May 21.[11]
See also: Pennsylvania state legislative special elections, 2019
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85
David Rowe defeated Jennifer Rager-Kay in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on August 20, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Rowe (R) | 62.6 | 6,489 | |
 | Jennifer Rager-Kay (D) | 37.4 | 3,879 | |
| Total votes: 10,368 | |||
| = 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 85
Incumbent Fred Keller defeated Jennifer Rager-Kay in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Fred Keller (R) | 67.7 | 14,714 |
| Jennifer Rager-Kay (D) | 32.3 | 7,012 | |
| Total votes: 21,726 | |||
| = 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 85
Jennifer Rager-Kay advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Rager-Kay | 100.0 | 2,007 |
| Total votes: 2,007 | |||
| = 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 85
Incumbent Fred Keller advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Fred Keller | 100.0 | 4,956 |
| Total votes: 4,956 | |||
| = 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 Fred Keller ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 general election.[12][13]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85, General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  Fred Keller Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||
Incumbent Fred Keller ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 Republican primary.[14][15]
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 85 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Fred Keller 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 Fred Keller was unopposed in the Republican primary. Keller defeated write-in candidate Michael Sundberg (D) in the general election.[16][17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fred Keller Incumbent |
69.2% | 10,895 | |
| Democratic | Michael Sundberg | 30.8% | 4,857 | |
| Total Votes | 15,752 | |||
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 Fred Keller (R) defeated Erik Viker (L) in the general election and was unopposed in the Republican primary.[19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fred Keller Incumbent |
81.1% | 16,900 | |
| Libertarian | Erik Viker | 18.9% | 3,935 | |
| Total Votes | 20,835 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 raised a total of $1,106,132. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $39,505 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 85 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $213,667 | 2 | $106,833 |
| 2022 | $151,548 | 1 | $151,548 |
| 2020 | $101,751 | 2 | $50,875 |
| 2019 | $100,673 | 2 | $50,337 |
| 2018 | $73,292 | 2 | $36,646 |
| 2016 | $37,215 | 1 | $37,215 |
| 2014 | $46,023 | 2 | $23,012 |
| 2012 | $24,194 | 1 | $24,194 |
| 2010 | $209,039 | 5 | $41,808 |
| 2008 | $30,681 | 2 | $15,341 |
| 2006 | $65,811 | 3 | $21,937 |
| 2004 | $15,748 | 1 | $15,748 |
| 2002 | $9,145 | 2 | $4,573 |
| 2000 | $27,346 | 2 | $13,673 |
| Total | $1,106,132 | 28 | $39,505 |
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)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddr - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 All About Redistricting, "Pennsylvania," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Penn Live, "Special election to fill open Pa. House seat set for Aug. 20," May 28, 2019
- ↑ The Daily Item, "UPDATE: Rowe says Valley GOP must unite to 'keep the district in Republican hands'," June 13, 2019
- ↑ The Daily Item, "Rager-Kay says Dems can win special election if they 'work together'," June 21, 2019
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Keller resigns state House seat, clearing way to Congress," May 24, 2019
- ↑ Pennsylvania Voter Services, "Candidate listing," accessed August 31, 2016
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "November 8, 2016, official election results," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ Pennsylvania Secretary of State, "Election Information," accessed February 18, 2016
- ↑ 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
