Pennsylvania state legislative special elections, 2012
From Ballotpedia
Seven special elections for the Pennsylvania General Assembly took place in 2012. These elections were called to fill vacancies in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Districts 22, 134, 153, 169, 186, and 197, and the Pennsylvania State Senate, District 40.
How vacancies are filled
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.[1]
See sources: Pennsylvania Cons. Art. II, §2
Special elections
April 24, 2012
| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 22 | |
|---|---|
Chelsa Wagner (D) resigned in January after being elected Allegheny County controller in November 2011.[2] House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 134 | |
|---|---|
Douglas Reichley (R) resigned after being elected Lehigh County judge in November 2011.[5] House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 153 | |
|---|---|
Josh Shapiro (D) resigned in December after being elected Montgomery County Commissioner in November 2011.[8] House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 169 | |
|---|---|
Dennis O'Brien (R) resigned after being elected to the Philadelphia City Council in November 2011. House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 186 | |
|---|---|
Kenyatta Johnson (D) resigned after being elected to the Philadelphia City Council in November 2011. House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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| ☑ Pennsylvania House District 197 | |
|---|---|
Jewell Williams (D) resigned after being elected Philadelphia sheriff in November 2011.[12] House Speaker Sam Smith (R) initially maintained that he was legally prohibited from scheduling the special election until the state had established new legislative redistricting maps. However, on February 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the special election could not wait and set the April 24 date. Party ward leaders will nominate candidates for the election.[3]
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August 7, 2012
| ☑ South Carolina House District 68 | |
|---|---|
Thad Viers (R) resigned on March 21, 2012--a day before being indicted for stalking and harassment in the first degree. A special election to replace him was held on July 24. A special Republican primary was held on June 5. Given the small gap between the special election and the general election, local leaders called for a law blocking the special election. It was not approved prior to the special election.[14][15][16] Republican Heather Ammons Crawford won the election unopposed. Less than 1% of eligible voters turned out to vote.[17]
General election candidates:
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See also
- State legislative special elections, 2012
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2012
- Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2010
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2010
- Pennsylvania General Assembly
Footnotes
- ↑ State of Pennsylvania, "Pennsylvania Constitution," accessed February 15, 2021 (Article II, Section 2)
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Allegheny County controller Chelsa Wagner resigns House seat," January 16, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Philadelphia Enquirer, "Six Pennsylvania House seats to be filled in April," March 1, 2012
- ↑ Allegheny County, SUMMARY REPORT, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Reading Eagle, "Democrats pick House candidate for Reichley seat," March 7, 2012
- ↑ Lehigh County, 2012 Special Election General Primary, April 24, 2011
- ↑ Berks County, "134th Special Election, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Philly Burbs, "Shapiro to resign House seat," December 9, 2011
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Philly.com, "Elections ordered for 6 vacant House seats," March 1, 2012
- ↑ Philadelphia County April 24, 2012 General and Special Election Unofficial Results, April 24, 2012
- ↑ Myrtle Beach Online, "Myrtle Beach-area Rep. Thad Viers resigns from S.C. House seat," March 22, 2012
- ↑ WCSC, "Representative Thad Viers indicted by grand jury," March 21, 2012
- ↑ Carolina Live, "Local lawmakers don't want special election for Viers' vacated seat," March 28, 2012
- ↑ Myrtle Beach Online, "Crawford sole candidate; wins District 68 special election," July 24, 2012
