Democrats re-elected in Pennsylvania in landslide victory – even though he’s dead | Pennsylvania

for a long time pennsylvania Despite dying last month, the state representative was re-elected in a landslide.

Pennsylvania’s longest-serving state legislator, Democrat Anthony “Tony” DeLuca, was elected with more than 85% of the vote.

DeLuca, 85, passed away on October 9 from lymphoma.

By the time of his death it was too late to change the ballot or put another candidate in his seat. DeLuca’s victory sparked a special election to be held at a later date.

The Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Rep. Tony Deluca, but voters’ posthumous re-election demonstrates their faith in him and their commitment to Democratic values. I am proud to continue to demonstrate,” he said in a tweet.

“There will be a special election soon.”

While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Congressman Tony DeLuca, we are proud that voters continue to demonstrate their trust in him and their commitment to Democratic values ​​by re-elected him posthumously. A special election will be held soon. pic.twitter.com/CfLnSCuvK9

— PA House Democrats (@PAHDCC) November 9, 2022

This isn’t the first time a candidate has won a posthumous election. Brothel owner, 2018 Dennis Hoff wins seat in Nevada Senate As a Republican, despite having died the previous month. However, unlike Pennsylvania, his victory did not trigger a special election.Under Nevada law, county officials could nominate a Republican to take over Hoff’s entire term.

As to why candidates are elected posthumously, some accuse voters of low awareness of current events (such as whether a candidate is alive or not), while others blame voters for the names they know best. Some people say that they are simply choosing .

Some commented that voters here didn’t notice. It certainly was.But for others, they may have preferred the idea of ​​a special election to choosing a third-party candidate on the ballot.

— Charlie Wolfson (@chwolfson) November 9, 2022

DeLuca has represented Pennsylvania’s 32nd congressional district for 39 years and has been the Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee for the last 20 years.he fought for patient rights By working with insurance companies and holding medical professionals accountable, he was outspoken in advocating cancer awareness, and following his initial lymphoma diagnosis and his wife’s diagnosis of breast cancer, who died at age 66, a local Increased funding for cancer research.

He sponsored over 100 bills during the 2021-2022 parliamentary session and remotely voted on bills until days before his death.

DeLuca’s opponent, Livingston, campaigned for a Green New Deal with a platform to end corruption in Harrisburg, carry out criminal justice reform, and establish abortion and reproductive rights.Within days of the election, she still Remind people on Twitter She was the only living candidate left in the race.

A “safe” vote is because people in my district have decided to vote for someone who is now deceased. to honor his legacy. Our district will have no one to represent us until after the special election. I would like someone to tell me how this is better??

— Vote for Queonia “Zarah” Livingston PA32 (@ZarahForPA32) November 9, 2022