Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2002
Encyclopedia
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 5, 2002, with all districts being contested. State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with the entire House of Representatives up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2002 ran from January 7, 2003 until November 30, 2004.. Necessary primary elections were held on May 21, 2002.
This was the first Pennsylvania House of Representatives
election held after the constitutionally-mandated decennial
reapportionment plan.
was held on July 16, 2002, following the April resignation of Republican John Barley, who had been the third highest ranking Republican in the House and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. He had first announced his intention to retire in early 2002, only to change his mind in March when he unexpectedly showed up at a local party committee meeting, where he received the Republican Party endorsement. He changed course again in March and announced his retirement, citing a growing controversy in his native Lancaster County
over a secret action by his son, a member of the zoning board, to rezone a portion of the Barley family farm to allow it to be sold to a landfill operator for $15.7 million. Barley predicted that had he continued with his re-election plans, his opponents would have tried to "destroy" him and his family. Republican Gibson C. Armstrong
, the son of Barley's predecessor Senator Gibson E. Armstrong, received the Republican endorsement and easily defeated Democrat Bruce Beardsley.
was held on August 14, 2001, following the May 2001 death of Italo Cappabianca
. The local Democratic committee controversially endorsed Gayle Wright
over Cappabianca's widow, Linda. Cappabianca decided against mounting a formal write-in campaign, citing time constraints, but encouraged voters to write her in as an independent candidate. Wright won the August 14 contest with 48.2% of the vote, with Cappabianca placing a strong second with 39.1%.
was held on February 12, 2002 following the resignation of Democrat Constance H. Williams
, who was elected to represent the 17th senatorial district
in the Pennsylvania Senate. In that election, Republican Wallis Brooks
narrowly defeated Democrat Daylin Leach
. Brooks finished the remainder of Williams' term before losing a re-match to Daylin Leach
in the 2002 general election.
was held on April 23, 2002 following the resignation of Christopher Wogan
, who was elected a judge of the Philadelphia County
Court of Common Pleas
in November 2001. Per the legislative redistricting plan enacted in 2001, the 176th district was moved from Philadelphia County to Monroe County
. In that election, Republican Monroe County Commissioner
Mario Scavello
defeated Democrat Joseph Battisto
, who had represented the nearby 189th legislative
from 1983 until his defeat in 2000
.
A special election for the 28th legislative district
was held on June 26, 2001, following the resignation of Jane Orie
, who was elected in March 2001 to represent the 40th senatorial district
in the Pennsylvania Senate. Republican Mike Turzai
, an attorney and former member of the Bradford Woods councilman, defeated Democrat Thomas Dancison by a 3-1 margin and captured every precinct in the reliably Republican suburban Pittsburgh
district. This was the second election for Turzai, who unsuccessfully challenged Congressman Ron Klink
in 1998.
, Democratic incumbent William Russell Robinson
was defeated by Jake Wheatley
, a staffer for Pittsburgh City Councilman Sala Udin
, a Robinson rival. The Robinson campaign was criticized for a weak effort, finishing the election with cash left over.
In the 2nd legislative district
, Democratic Gayle Wright
, who had been elected in a 2001 special election, lost to Florindo Fabrizio
. In the 97th legislative district
, Republican Jere Strittmatter
lost a surprising upset to Manheim Township Supervisor
Roy Baldwin
. In the 98th legislative district
, Republican Thomas E. Armstrong
lost to Lancaster County
Clerk of Courts David Hickernell
.
succeeding Nick Colafella
, Marc J. Gergely succeeding Tom Michlovic, Nick Kotik
succeeding Fred A. Trello, and Neal Goodman
succeeding Edward J. Lucyk. Seven seats left open by Republican retirements were filled by other Republicans, with Scott W. Boyd
succeeding Jere W. Schuler, Martin T. Causer succeeding Kenneth M. Jadlowiec, C. Adam Harris succeeding Daniel F. Clark
, Mauree Gingrich
succeeding Edward H. Krebs
, Douglas G. Reichley succeeding Jane S. Baker
, and Scott A. Petri succeeding Roy Reinard
. Long-time Representative Frank Tulli
retired shortly after winning the Republican nomination in the May primary. Fellow Republican John Payne
took his place on the November ballot, winning easily.
Three Western Pennsylvania
incumbent Democrats retired after their districts were moved to the eastern portion of the state during the decennial redistricting process. All three of these seats were captured by Republicans. Democrat David Mayernik
had his district, the 29th legislative district
, "diced" into seven other districts and moved across the state from Allegheny County
to Bucks County, Pennsylvania
. Democratic leaders were unhappy that he had crossed party lines and otherwise disobeying caucus leaders. This newly reconfigured seat was captured by Bernie O'Neill
, a Bucks County
Republican. Democrat Ralph Kaiser retired when the 41st legislative district
was moved from Allegheny County
to Lancaster County
, which was retribution by the House Democratic caucus for his fiscally conservative voting pattern. The seat was taken by Katie True
, who had previously represented the 37th legislative district
, a seat she gave up in 2000
to run for Pennsylvania Auditor General
. Democrat Leo Trich
's Washington County
-based district, the 47th legislative district
, was moved to York County
, where it was captured by Republican Keith J. Gillespie
.
, incumbent Democrat Sara Steelman
was upset by Dave L. Reed
, a 24-year old Republican. Both candidates made improving the local economic climate part of their platforms. Steelman had become a GOP target after " alienating" some in her home district. As a challenger, Reed followed the campaign blueprint established in 2000 by when young Jeff Coleman
defeated Tim Pesci in nearby Armstrong County. Reed raised $120,000 for the campaign and knocked on 11,000 doors in the district. During the campaign, Steelman "erupted" on the district's airwaves with taxpayer-funded "public service announcements" for the first time in a decade. With the 57-43 victory, Reed became the youngest member of the House.
, Republican incumbent Wallis Brooks
, who had been elected in February, lost to Democrat Daylin Leach
in a rematch of their February special election. The Brooks campaign sent dozens of direct mail advertisements, including one accusing Leach of defending child molesters as an attorney. On the Saturday before the election, one was sent to voters accusing Leach, a practicing Orthodox Jew who lost family in the Holocaust, of being anti-Semitic. The mailer carried a bold headline of "Anti-Semitism, Neo-Nazism, Holocaust Denial. They are not 'a big joke.'" The incendiary charges stemmed from Leach's 1999 defense of an in absentia
client from Texas
who was sued in Allentown, Pennsylvania
for comments allegedly made in an Internet chat room. Following the dismissal, the plaintiff took to the internet and posted diatribes denouncing Leach and the Texas man as anti-Semites that were unearthed by a Brooks researcher and used in the mailer. "She had to know I was Jewish, because it had come up in a debate. But since I have a non-Jewish surname, she apparently thought she could get away with this," Leach said. The campaign immediately convinced a local Jewish newspaper to denounce the mailer and reproduced the article on a flyer with a profile of Leach, emphasizing his Jewish roots and activism, on the reverse. By election day, 70 volunteers had hand-delivered the literature to most district households. Leach won the election by over 1,000 votes.
, Republican-turned Democrat John A. Lawless
was defeated by Republican Jacqueline Crahalla
by 62 votes. Both candidates easily won their respective party's nomination in the primary election. The district was designed to be disadvantageous to Lawless, who had run afoul of the Republican Caucus leadership. In September, Lawless caused a controversy when he was pulled over for a minor traffic violation by a Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
police officer. Lawless used vulgar language to berated the officer and threatened the police department with a loss of state funds. Following the loss, Lawless destroyed many constituent-related documents, rather than surrender them to Crahalla.
This was the first Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
election held after the constitutionally-mandated decennial
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
reapportionment plan.
Make-Up of the House
| Affiliation | Seats at Last Election | Seats at End of Legislative Session | Seats after Election | Change Since Last Election | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
99 | 97 | 93 | -6 | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
104 | 106 | 110 | +6 | |
Special election for the 100th legislative district
A special election for the 100th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 100
The 100th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Lancaster County and includes the following areas:* Bart Township* Christiana* Colerain Township* Conestoga Township* Drumore Township* East Drumore Township* Eden Township...
was held on July 16, 2002, following the April resignation of Republican John Barley, who had been the third highest ranking Republican in the House and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. He had first announced his intention to retire in early 2002, only to change his mind in March when he unexpectedly showed up at a local party committee meeting, where he received the Republican Party endorsement. He changed course again in March and announced his retirement, citing a growing controversy in his native Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
over a secret action by his son, a member of the zoning board, to rezone a portion of the Barley family farm to allow it to be sold to a landfill operator for $15.7 million. Barley predicted that had he continued with his re-election plans, his opponents would have tried to "destroy" him and his family. Republican Gibson C. Armstrong
Gibson C. Armstrong
Gibson C. Armstrong is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 100 District. He was elected in a special election on July 16, 2002 to fill the unexpired term of John E. Barley. His father, Gibson E...
, the son of Barley's predecessor Senator Gibson E. Armstrong, received the Republican endorsement and easily defeated Democrat Bruce Beardsley.
Special election for the 2nd legislative district
A special election for the 2nd legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 2
The 2nd District is an electoral district for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is currently represented by Democrat Florindo Fabrizio...
was held on August 14, 2001, following the May 2001 death of Italo Cappabianca
Italo Cappabianca
Italo S. Cappabianca was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1955 and earned a degree in political science from Gannon University in 1968. He was elected to represent the 2nd legislative district in...
. The local Democratic committee controversially endorsed Gayle Wright
Gayle Wright
Gayle M. Wright is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Wright is originally from Port Huron, Michigan. Wright earned a degree in education from the University of Akron and oursued graduate studies in correctional counseling at Gannon University. Prior to elective...
over Cappabianca's widow, Linda. Cappabianca decided against mounting a formal write-in campaign, citing time constraints, but encouraged voters to write her in as an independent candidate. Wright won the August 14 contest with 48.2% of the vote, with Cappabianca placing a strong second with 39.1%.
Special election for the 149th legislative district
A special election for the 149th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 149
The 149th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Montgomery County and includes the following areas:* Bridgeport* Lower Merion Township ** Ward 04** Ward 05** Ward 06 [PART, Divisions 01 and 02]...
was held on February 12, 2002 following the resignation of Democrat Constance H. Williams
Constance H. Williams
Constance H. "Connie" Williams is a Democratic politician and former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, who represented the 17th District from 2001 to 2009.-Biography:...
, who was elected to represent the 17th senatorial district
Pennsylvania Senate, District 17
Pennsylvania's 17th Senatorial district includes parts of Delaware and Montgomery Counties.Delaware County* Radnor Township* Haverford TownshipMontgomery County* Bridgeport* Conshohocken* East Norriton Township* Lower Merion Township* Narberth...
in the Pennsylvania Senate. In that election, Republican Wallis Brooks
Wallis Brooks
Wallis W. Brooks is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She graduated from American University with a degree in English in 1969. She earned a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1973.-Election history:Wallis W...
narrowly defeated Democrat Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 17th senatorial district since 2009. He was previously a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 149th district from 2003 to 2009.-Biography:Leach graduated from Parkland High...
. Brooks finished the remainder of Williams' term before losing a re-match to Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 17th senatorial district since 2009. He was previously a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 149th district from 2003 to 2009.-Biography:Leach graduated from Parkland High...
in the 2002 general election.
Special election for the 176th legislative district
A special election for the 176th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 176
The 176th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Monroe County, Pennsylvania and includes the following areas:*Coolbaugh Township*Jackson Township*Paradise Township*Pocono Township*Stroud Township...
was held on April 23, 2002 following the resignation of Christopher Wogan
Christopher Wogan
Christopher R. Wogan is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Wogan is a 1968 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School. He earned a degree in political science from La Salle College in 1972 and a law degree from the Temple University Beasley School of Law in...
, who was elected a judge of the Philadelphia County
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
-History:Tribes of Lenape were the first known occupants in the area which became Philadelphia County. The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in 1638. The Netherlands seized the area in 1655, but permanently lost control to England in 1674...
Court of Common Pleas
Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas
The Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania .The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state....
in November 2001. Per the legislative redistricting plan enacted in 2001, the 176th district was moved from Philadelphia County to Monroe County
Monroe County, Pennsylvania
-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile...
. In that election, Republican Monroe County Commissioner
Monroe County, Pennsylvania
-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile...
Mario Scavello
Mario Scavello
Mario Scavello is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 176th Legislative District of Pennsylvania. He is currently a member of the House Appropriations, Ethics, Finance, Professional Licensure, and Tourism and Recreational Development Committees.-Career:Prior to...
defeated Democrat Joseph Battisto
Joseph Battisto
Joseph W. Battisto is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He graduated from Stroudsburg High School in 1949. He earned a degree from East Stroudsburg State College in 1956 and an M.S...
, who had represented the nearby 189th legislative
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 189
The 189th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is made up of parts of Monroe County, Pennsylvania and Pike County, Pennsylvania. The district includes the following areas:*Monroe County** Chestnuthill Township ,...
from 1983 until his defeat in 2000
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2000
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2000, with all districts being contested. State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with the entire House of Representatives up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2000 ran...
.
A special election for the 28th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 28
The 28th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following areas:* Bradford Woods* Franklin Park ** Ward 01 [PART, Divisions 02 and 03]** Ward 02 [PART, Division 02]** Ward 03* Marshall Township...
was held on June 26, 2001, following the resignation of Jane Orie
Jane Orie
Jane Clare Orie is an American politician who currently serves in the Pennsylvania State Senate. She represents the 40th senate district, including portions of Allegheny County and Butler County. She is a Republican...
, who was elected in March 2001 to represent the 40th senatorial district
Pennsylvania Senate, District 40
Pennsylvania's 40th Senatorial district includes parts of Allegheny County and Butler CountyAllegheny County*Hampton Township, Pennsylvania*Marshall Township, Pennsylvania*McCandless Township, Pennsylvania*Pine Township, Pennsylvania...
in the Pennsylvania Senate. Republican Mike Turzai
Mike Turzai
Mike Turzai is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Turzai has represented the 28th legislative district since 2001 and is a member of the Republican Party...
, an attorney and former member of the Bradford Woods councilman, defeated Democrat Thomas Dancison by a 3-1 margin and captured every precinct in the reliably Republican suburban Pittsburgh
North Hills (Pennsylvania)
The North Hills is a term generally used to collectively describe the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The independent suburban municipalities that are always included in the North Hills are Ross Township, Borough of West View, Shaler Township, West Deer Township, Frazer Township,...
district. This was the second election for Turzai, who unsuccessfully challenged Congressman Ron Klink
Ron Klink
Ronald "Ron" Klink is a Democratic politician and former United States Representative from Pennsylvania.Klink was born in Canton, Ohio, and graduated from Meyersdale High School in Pennsylvania in 1969. Klink originally worked behind the scenes at WTAJ-TV in Altoona, Pennsylvania...
in 1998.
Primary elections
In the primary election held on May 21, 2002, four incumbent legislators (two Republicans and two Democrats) lost their party's nomination. In the 19th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 19
The 19th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following area:* City of Pittsburgh ** Ward 01** Ward 02 [PART, Division 01]** Ward 03...
, Democratic incumbent William Russell Robinson
William Russell Robinson
William Russell "Bill" Robinson is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Robinson is a 1960 graduate of Schenley High School. He earned a degree in political science from The Ohio State University in 1964 and a master's degree degree in political science from...
was defeated by Jake Wheatley
Jake Wheatley
Jake Wheatley, Jr. is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. He represents the 19th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives which includes a number of areas in the city of Pittsburgh including: the Hill District, North Side, South Side, Allentown, Hazelwood,...
, a staffer for Pittsburgh City Councilman Sala Udin
Sala Udin
Sala Udin, whose legal name is Samuel Wesley Howze, is a former Pittsburgh City Councilman where he represented the 6th district. Udin has been known for the voice that he gave to the primarily poor and oppressed people that he represented. Udin was succeeded by Tonya Payne in a primary election in...
, a Robinson rival. The Robinson campaign was criticized for a weak effort, finishing the election with cash left over.
In the 2nd legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 2
The 2nd District is an electoral district for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is currently represented by Democrat Florindo Fabrizio...
, Democratic Gayle Wright
Gayle Wright
Gayle M. Wright is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Wright is originally from Port Huron, Michigan. Wright earned a degree in education from the University of Akron and oursued graduate studies in correctional counseling at Gannon University. Prior to elective...
, who had been elected in a 2001 special election, lost to Florindo Fabrizio
Florindo Fabrizio
Florindo J. Fabrizio is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District and was elected in 2002.-External links:* official PA House website...
. In the 97th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 97
The 97th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Lancaster County and includes the following areas:* East Petersburg ** District North* Lititz...
, Republican Jere Strittmatter
Jere Strittmatter
Jere L. Strittmatter is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He graduated from York Suburban High School in 1968 and from Franklin & Marshall College in 1972. He was first elected to represent the 97th legislative district in 1988. He was defeated in the 2002...
lost a surprising upset to Manheim Township Supervisor
Manheim Township, Pennsylvania
Manheim Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania*Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania-Other:*West Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania...
Roy Baldwin
Roy Baldwin
Roy E. Baldwin is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Baldwin earned a degree from Cornell University. He served as Township Supervisor of Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for eight years...
. In the 98th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 98
The 98th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is made up of parts of Dauphin County and Lancaster County. The district includes the following areas:* Dauphin County** Londonderry Township** Middletown *** Ward 02 [PART, Division 01]...
, Republican Thomas E. Armstrong
Thomas E. Armstrong
Thomas E. Armstrong is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Armstrong graduated from Conestoga Valley High School in 1977 and earned a degree in business from Penn State University in 1980. He was first elected to represent the 98th legislative district in the...
lost to Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
Clerk of Courts David Hickernell
David Hickernell
David S. Hickernell is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 98th District and was elected in 2002. He currently sits on the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Local Government, and Transportation Committees.-Personal:...
.
Retirements
Four seats left open by Democratic retirements were kept by Democrats, with Vince BiancucciVince Biancucci
Vincent A. "Vince" Biancucci was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 15th District and was elected in 2002.He was defeated for re-election in the 2008 general election.-External links:...
succeeding Nick Colafella
Nick Colafella
Nicholas A. Colafella is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1956 graduate of Aliquippa High School. He earned a degree in education from Youngstown University in 1962, an M.Ed. from Duquesne University in 1965, and a Ph.D...
, Marc J. Gergely succeeding Tom Michlovic, Nick Kotik
Nick Kotik
Nick Kotik is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official PA House website* official Party website...
succeeding Fred A. Trello, and Neal Goodman
Neal Goodman
Neal Goodman is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official PA House website* official Party website...
succeeding Edward J. Lucyk. Seven seats left open by Republican retirements were filled by other Republicans, with Scott W. Boyd
Scott W. Boyd
Scott W. Boyd is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 43rd District and was first elected in 2002.-Career:...
succeeding Jere W. Schuler, Martin T. Causer succeeding Kenneth M. Jadlowiec, C. Adam Harris succeeding Daniel F. Clark
Daniel F. Clark
Daniel F. Clark is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1972 graduate of East Juniata High School. He earned a degree in accounting from Lycoming College in 1976 and a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1979. He was first elected to...
, Mauree Gingrich
Mauree Gingrich
Mauree A. Gingrich is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 101st District and was elected in 2002. She serves on the House Aging and Older Adult Services, Appropriations, Health and Human Services, and Local Government Committees.-Personal:Gingrich lives in...
succeeding Edward H. Krebs
Edward H. Krebs (Pennsylvania politician)
Edward H. Krebs is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1961 graduate of Annville-Cleona High School. He earned a degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1965, an M.S. from University of Massachusetts in 1967, and a Ph.D...
, Douglas G. Reichley succeeding Jane S. Baker
Jane S. Baker
Jane S. Baker is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.She attended Penn State University from 1963–1965 and graduated from Cedar Crest College in 1967. She was first elected in 2000 and served one term before her retirement in 2002.-External links:* official PA...
, and Scott A. Petri succeeding Roy Reinard
Roy Reinard
Roy Reinard is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1973 graduate of Council Rock High School in Newtown, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree from West Chester University in 1977. Prior to elective office, he worked in the insurance industry...
. Long-time Representative Frank Tulli
Frank Tulli
Frank "Chick" Tulli, Jr. is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1962 graduate of Hershey High School. He graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1966 and earned an M.S. degree from Temple University in 1969...
retired shortly after winning the Republican nomination in the May primary. Fellow Republican John Payne
John D. Payne
John D. Payne is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 106th District and was elected in 2002. Payne currently serves on the House Liquor Control, Local Government, and Tourism and Recreational Development Committees....
took his place on the November ballot, winning easily.
Three Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
incumbent Democrats retired after their districts were moved to the eastern portion of the state during the decennial redistricting process. All three of these seats were captured by Republicans. Democrat David Mayernik
David Mayernik
David J. Mayernik is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1970 graduate of North Hills High School. He earned an A.A. from the Allegheny Community College in 1972 and a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974. In 1975, he graduated from the...
had his district, the 29th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 29
The 29th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Bucks County and includes the following areas:* Buckingham Township ** District Lower** District Middle** District Upper [PART, Division 02]* New Hope* Solebury Township...
, "diced" into seven other districts and moved across the state from Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
to Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. Democratic leaders were unhappy that he had crossed party lines and otherwise disobeying caucus leaders. This newly reconfigured seat was captured by Bernie O'Neill
Bernie O'Neill
Bernard "Bernie" T. O'Neill is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 29th District and was elected in 2003.-Career:...
, a Bucks County
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
Republican. Democrat Ralph Kaiser retired when the 41st legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 41
The 41st Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Lancaster County and includes the following areas:* East Hempfield Township* East Petersburg ** District South** District West...
was moved from Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
to Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
, which was retribution by the House Democratic caucus for his fiscally conservative voting pattern. The seat was taken by Katie True
Katie True
Katie True is a Republican politician, and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.True was born in Baltimore, Maryland but moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania as a youth. She is a graduate of J. P...
, who had previously represented the 37th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 37
The 37th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Lancaster County and includes the following areas:* Adamstown* Clay Township* Denver* East Cocalico Township* Elizabeth Township* Manheim* Mount Joy Township* Penn Township...
, a seat she gave up in 2000
Pennsylvania Auditor General election, 2000
Pennsylvania's Auditor General election was held November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democrat Bob Casey won reelection by a healthy margin. His Republican challenger was Katie True, a State Representative from the Lancaster area. Both candidates were unopposed in the primary.-General election:...
to run for Pennsylvania Auditor General
Pennsylvania Auditor General
The Pennsylvania Auditor General is the chief fiscal officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1850. The current Auditor General of Pennsylvania is Jack Wagner.- History :...
. Democrat Leo Trich
Leo Trich
Leo Joseph Trich, Jr. is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a 1969 graduate of Washington High School. He attended California University of Pennsylvania and Washington and Jefferson College. Prior to elective office, he served as Commissioner of PONY...
's Washington County
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
-based district, the 47th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 47
The 47th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in York County and includes the following areas:* Conewago Township* East Manchester Township* Hallam* Hellam Township* Manchester Township* Mount Wolf* Springettsbury Township...
, was moved to York County
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
, where it was captured by Republican Keith J. Gillespie
Keith J. Gillespie
Keith J. Gillespie is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 47th District and was elected in 2002.-Career:Prior to entering politics, Gillespie was a paramedic at Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. Later, he was the director of safety, security and...
.
62nd legislative district
In the 62nd legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 62
The 62nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Indiana County includes the following areas:* Armagh* Black Lick Township* Blairsville* Buffington Township* Burrell Township* Center Township...
, incumbent Democrat Sara Steelman
Sara Steelman
Sara G. Steelman of Indiana, Pennsylvania, American biologist and politician, served seven terms as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1991 until 2002. Steelman is married to John Henry Steelman, a mathematics professor at Indiana University. She is a 1963...
was upset by Dave L. Reed
Dave L. Reed
Dave L. Reed is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represents the 62nd District, made up of parts of Indiana County....
, a 24-year old Republican. Both candidates made improving the local economic climate part of their platforms. Steelman had become a GOP target after " alienating" some in her home district. As a challenger, Reed followed the campaign blueprint established in 2000 by when young Jeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975. In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries...
defeated Tim Pesci in nearby Armstrong County. Reed raised $120,000 for the campaign and knocked on 11,000 doors in the district. During the campaign, Steelman "erupted" on the district's airwaves with taxpayer-funded "public service announcements" for the first time in a decade. With the 57-43 victory, Reed became the youngest member of the House.
149th legislative district
In the 149th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 149
The 149th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Montgomery County and includes the following areas:* Bridgeport* Lower Merion Township ** Ward 04** Ward 05** Ward 06 [PART, Divisions 01 and 02]...
, Republican incumbent Wallis Brooks
Wallis Brooks
Wallis W. Brooks is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She graduated from American University with a degree in English in 1969. She earned a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1973.-Election history:Wallis W...
, who had been elected in February, lost to Democrat Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach
Daylin Leach is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 17th senatorial district since 2009. He was previously a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 149th district from 2003 to 2009.-Biography:Leach graduated from Parkland High...
in a rematch of their February special election. The Brooks campaign sent dozens of direct mail advertisements, including one accusing Leach of defending child molesters as an attorney. On the Saturday before the election, one was sent to voters accusing Leach, a practicing Orthodox Jew who lost family in the Holocaust, of being anti-Semitic. The mailer carried a bold headline of "Anti-Semitism, Neo-Nazism, Holocaust Denial. They are not 'a big joke.'" The incendiary charges stemmed from Leach's 1999 defense of an in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
client from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
who was sued in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
for comments allegedly made in an Internet chat room. Following the dismissal, the plaintiff took to the internet and posted diatribes denouncing Leach and the Texas man as anti-Semites that were unearthed by a Brooks researcher and used in the mailer. "She had to know I was Jewish, because it had come up in a debate. But since I have a non-Jewish surname, she apparently thought she could get away with this," Leach said. The campaign immediately convinced a local Jewish newspaper to denounce the mailer and reproduced the article on a flyer with a profile of Leach, emphasizing his Jewish roots and activism, on the reverse. By election day, 70 volunteers had hand-delivered the literature to most district households. Leach won the election by over 1,000 votes.
150th legislative district
In the 150th legislative districtPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 150
The 150th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Montgomery County and includes the following areas:* Collegeville* East Norriton Township ** District 01 [PART, Division 04]* Lower Providence Township ** District 01...
, Republican-turned Democrat John A. Lawless
John A. Lawless
John A. Lawless is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-Education and early career:He is a 1975 graduate of Methacton High School. He earned a degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1979 and has attended classes at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science...
was defeated by Republican Jacqueline Crahalla
Jacqueline Crahalla
Jacqueline R. Crahalla is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.She is a 1958 graduate of Collingswood High School in Collingswood, New Jersey. She worked in Merck Sharp & Dohme and other corporations before retiring to "stay home and raise a family". During that...
by 62 votes. Both candidates easily won their respective party's nomination in the primary election. The district was designed to be disadvantageous to Lawless, who had run afoul of the Republican Caucus leadership. In September, Lawless caused a controversy when he was pulled over for a minor traffic violation by a Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, about 17 miles west of Philadelphia. The population was 25,436 at the 2010 census.- History :...
police officer. Lawless used vulgar language to berated the officer and threatened the police department with a loss of state funds. Following the loss, Lawless destroyed many constituent-related documents, rather than surrender them to Crahalla.