HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Democrats maintained a narrow majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday after voters in the increasingly left-leaning Philadelphia suburb elected a former school board member to lead the Democratic Party.
Jim Prokopiak's election to the Bucks County seat gives Democrats a 102-100 House majority they have sought to defend in four special elections over the past year. Last week's resignation of Republican lawmakers returned control to Democrats, and Prokopiak's victory kept them in power.
Related: Democratic voters in Philadelphia's swing state of Bucks County say they don't care about Biden's age.
He defeated Republican challenger Candice Cabanas and will replace former state Rep. John Galloway, who resigned from his position as magistrate judge.
“What we hear from our constituents is that Bucks County residents need help ensuring their ability to support their families, take control of their bodies, and chart their own path in life,” Prokopiak said in a statement. That's true.'' “I am committed to bringing the conversation with voters to Harrisburg and making their dreams a reality.”
Prokopiak, 49, said during his campaign that his goals as a lawmaker since taking back the chamber include more funding for K-12 education, preserving access to abortion and raising the minimum wage. said it was in line with the party's larger ambitions.
“Nobody in this area can live on the federal minimum wage,” he said. “If we're going to talk about creating high-wage jobs, life-sustaining jobs, the first thing we have to do is raise the minimum wage, because that's not supporting anyone. Because it’s obvious.”
read more: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro reiterates his commitment to a $15 minimum wage, giving low-income residents a sense of hope
Democrats almost certainly retained all six seats gained in special elections over the past year in Democratic districts. Mr. Prokopiak will represent a seat that favored Democrats in past election cycles.
Galloway's seat is leaning Democratic, and Republicans are slowly losing control over the county overall.
The race drew national attention from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which spent $50,000 to protect the party's majority in the chamber.
This is a first step for the commission, which has announced it plans to spend at least $60 million on state elections across the country this fiscal year, the largest budget in its history. The plan places particular emphasis on eliminating Republican majorities in the Arizona, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania state senate, while preserving the small Democratic majorities claimed in 2022 in Minnesota and Michigan. You will be killed.
“This victory is a positive sign for Democrats, no matter how high or low this year's vote is. It's clear that momentum is on our side,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Chair Heather Williams said in a statement. He added that he would focus on protecting his House majority. and flipping the state Senate.
Pennsylvania Democrats have used their newfound power this year to advance many of their caucus priorities and have a philosophical ally in the governor's office with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Congress remains politically divided, with Republicans holding a solid majority in the Senate.
“I think over the past year that Democrats have been in the majority, they've pushed for legislation that helps the middle class,” Prokopiak previously said. “That's what I want to do.”
