Democrats win control of Pennsylvania House of Representatives in special election, splitting power in key swing states – NBC10 Philadelphia

Democrats won control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Tuesday’s special election, wresting partial power from Republicans for the first time in 12 years in a closely contested battleground state.

Democrats won all three vacant seats in the Pittsburgh-area House of Representatives, claiming a slight lead over Republicans and finally securing the majority they initially appeared to win in last November’s general election. bottom. Republicans still hold the Senate, creating a political divide that could make it difficult for lawmakers to send priority legislation to new Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The special election capped off months of election drama.

Republicans maintained a 113-90 majority in the House last year. But her one-degree redistricting and strong statewide campaign results in 2010 will give Democrats enough seats to win her a 102-101 majority in the House in the fall elections. I was able to. Or so it seemed. Three of those Democratic seats quickly became vacant, creating uncertainty as to who actually controlled the House.

Democratic Rep. Tony DeLuca died of cancer in October, just before winning re-election. Democratic Rep. Summer Lee also resigned after winning the congressional election. Democrat Rep. Austin Davis also resigned before becoming lieutenant governor.

This led to a political stalemate, with Republicans winning more seats in the House than Democrats. GOP members joined all the Democrats who took part in the vote.

Since Rozzi took office, the House has been frozen, not passing internal operating rules, assigning members to committees, or approving legislation. It’s unclear if Lotzi will retain the presidency when the Democrats convene their newly elected lawmakers.

The Democrats had easily won the same seat last fall and were expected to win Tuesday’s special election.

DeLuca’s previous seat was won by Democrat Joe McAndrew, 32. He is a former state House Democratic employee and former executive director of the Democratic Commission on Allegheny County, a business owner. Lee’s former seat was won by Abigail Salisbury, 40, a lawyer and Democrat in the Swissvale Borough Council. Democrat Matthew Gargiley, who works for McKeesport City Hall, was elected to succeed Davis.

The special election took place after a court dismissed an attempt by House Republican Majority Leader Brian Cutler to keep the outcome of two elections inconclusive on Tuesday.

When the newly elected representatives take office, the House may still be one member short of a full complement. said they won a special election to fill a vacancy in the state Senate.

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