Given the number of retirements that had been announced, it’s not exactly a surprise that there will be a number of new faces in both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives next term. However, elections are sometimes not so predictable, leaving us with a few surprises. This year was no exception.
Pennsylvania Senate
Since 1980, Republicans have controlled the state Senate, with the exception of the 16-month period from November of 1992 through March of 1994. After picking up three seats in the 2012 elections, Democrats were hopeful to gain at least two more this year, which would tie the membership of Democrats and Republicans at 25-25. Coupled with the anticipation of a Democrat in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, a 25-25 split would have given the Democrats an edge, since the Lt. Governor is required to vote on legislation before the state Senate in the event of a tie. Of the 25 seats up for election, there were only three that remained competitive come election night. The number one target for both parties was Senate District 26 in southeast Pennsylvania. This seat opened up due to the retirement of Sen. Ted Erickson (R), but the area has been favorable to Democrats in recent years. It was considered a must-win for both parties. At the end of the night, County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle (R) defeated Labor Leader John Kane (D) 52% to 48%.
In another highly contested open seat contest, the Democrats were unable to hold onto the seat that became available with the retirement of long-time member Richard Kasunic. Republican Pat Stefano defeated Democrat Deberah Kula 57% to 43%. In the biggest upset of the night, however, incumbent Democrat Tim Solobay lost to challenger Camera Bartolotta 53% to 47% in the 46th Senate District. The Republicans also picked up a democratic seat that was “moved” from the western part of the state to the east; at the end of the night, Republicans managed to strengthen their majority by picking up three seats and now have a stronghold of 30 members to the Democrats’20.
In addition to new Senators Bartolotta, Stefano and McGarrigle, the Senate will also welcome Democrat Art Haywood, who defeated Republican Robin Gilchirst to win the seat being vacated due to the retirement of Senator LeAnna Washington (D); former Rep. Mario Scavello, a Republican who defeated Democrat Mark Aurand to represent a newly drawn district in the Monroe County area; former Republican State Rep. Ryan Aument, who defeated Gary Schreckengost to fill the seat being left vacant due to the retirement Sen. Mike Brubaker (R), and finally, former Republican State Rep. Michele Brooks, who will replace retiring Sen. Bob Robbins (R) after having defeated Democrat Michael Muha in yesterday’s election.
PA House of Representatives
In the PA House, all 203 seats were up for grabs on Election Day. Heading into Tuesday’s contests, the Republicans held the majority 111-92. Once the dust settled and all votes were tallied, the Republicans had picked up at least eight seats, which grew their majority to a total of 119 -84. Between democratic upsets and new members due to retirements and redistricting, we can expect to see 26 new State Representatives in the halls of the capitol next year.
In the newly drawn 5th district, Republican Barry Jozwiak Defeated democrat Frederick Sheeler and in the 8th, Republican Tedd Nesbit ran unopposed to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Dick Stevenson (R). In the 17th, Republican Parke Wentling defeated Democrat Wayne Hanson to fill the seat that Rep. Michele Brooks (R) leaves empty when she moves over to the State Senate.
In another newly drawn district, the 22nd, Democrat Peter Schweyer defeated Republican Steven Ramos; the 22nd is one of the districts that got moved under the new reapportionment plan; though the seat is now in the Lehigh Valley, it has been a western Pennsylvania seat, held until now by Rep. Erin Molchany. In the 41st, the seat now held by Rep. Ryan Aument will go to Republican Brett Miller, who defeated Democrat Alice Yoder in yesterday’s race. Seated Democrat Jesse White was defeated by Republican Jason Ortitay in the 46th, and in the 52nd, a seat currently held by retiring Democrat Deb Kula, Republican Ryan Warner defeated Democrat AJ Boni; both seats have moved from Democrat to Republican.
The retirement of current Speaker Sam Smith (R), leaves a vacancy in the 66th district; the seat goes to Republican Chris Dush, who defeated Democrat Robert Santik. Thanks to redistricting, Republican Rep. Tom Sankey moves from the 74th to the 73rd, replacing retiring Rep. Gary Haluska; the newly drawn 74th goes to Republican Harry Lewis, who defeated Democrat Josh Maxwell yesterday. Republican Judy Ward will replace Republican Rep. Jerry Stern in the 80th after defeating Democrat Jason Lynn, and in the 81st, Republican Rich Irvin will replace Republican-turned-Democrat write-in candidate Rep. Mike Fleck.
Republican Jeff Wheeland ousted Democrat Rick Mirabito in the 83rd yesterday, moving that seat from the Democratic to the Republican roster, while in the 90th, Paul Schemel will keep the seat republican, replacing Rep. Todd Rock (R) and defeating William Hornbarger. The 93rd will also maintain republican representation; Kristin Philips-Hill ran unopposed to replace retiring Rep. Ron Miller (R).
Republican David Zimmerman will assume representation of the 99th; he defeated Democrat Bryan Sanguinito to fill the seat vacated due to the retirement of Rep. Gordon Denlinger (R). Similarly, Republican Russ Diamond defeated Democrat Jake Long to replace Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R) in the 102nd.
The newly drawn 115th moved north of Scranton and will be represented by Republican David Parker, who defeated Democrat Maureen Madden. The 115th had been represented by Frank Farina (D), who now represents the 112th due to redistricting. Also in the northeast, the 120th will now be represented by Republican Aaron Kaufer, who defeated Democrat Eileen Cirpiani in a contest to replace retiring Democrat Rep. Phyllis Mundy.
Long-serving Rep.Paul Clymer (R) retires at the end of this term, leaving a vacancy in the 145th. That seat will now be held by Republican Craig Staats, who defeated Democratic challenger Karen Chellew. Next door, in the 146th, there’s a new but not-so-new face; Republican Thomas Quigley defeated Democrat Mark Painter, who had defeated Quigley in 2012.
Delaware County’s Republican Rep. Nick Miocozzie is retiring, leaving a vacancy in the 163rd. He will be replaced by Republican James Santora, who defeated Democrat Vince Rongione. The newly drawn 169th goes to Republican Kate Klunk, who ran unopposed yesterday. The 169th moved from Philly to York in redistricting; technically she replaces Rep. Ed Neilson, who has since been elected to Philadelphia City Council.
Speaking of Philly, Democrat Mike Driscoll will replace retiring Democrat Mike McGeehan in the 173rd, after defeating Republican Mike Tomlinson yesterday.
The 176th is currently held by Rep. Mario Scavello (R), who is heading for the upper chamber. He will be replaced by Republican Jack Rader, who defeated Democrat Hope Smith.
Finally, Democrat Jason Dawkins defeated Democrat James Clay in the primary, and ran unopposed to represent the 179th yesterday, and Democrat Leslie Acosta also ran unopposed to replace Democrat J.P. Miranda in the 197th.
When all is said and done, we’re looking at over thirty new members between the two chambers, which well over ten percent of the current membership. We will keep you posted as we learn more about these newly elected officials; check back to this blog or follow us on Twitter @BuchananGov.