Bob Russikoff wears a mask and gloves to vote in the special election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Bensalem. Russikoff voted at Cecelia Snyder Middle School, where poll workers said turnout was low, but better than expected under the circumstances.
Emma Lee / WHYY
Emma Lee / WHYY
Bob Russikoff wears a mask and gloves to vote in the special election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Bensalem. Russikoff voted at Cecelia Snyder Middle School, where poll workers said turnout was low, but better than expected under the circumstances.
(Harrisburg) — Republicans are claiming victory and Democrats conceding defeat in three special elections Tuesday to fill empty seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
All three seats had been held by Republicans who vacated them after winning elections to county offices last November, and Tuesday’s election maintains the 110-93 Republican majority in the state House.
Eric Davanzo won in a Republican-leaning district in Westmoreland County and Tim Bonner won in a Republican-leaning district based in Mercer County, while K.C. Tomlinson won in a district in politically divided Bucks County.
Democrats had criticized the decision by House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, to hold the special elections apart from the April 28 primary, and then they criticized his decision not to postpone the special elections after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a shutdown of non-essential government services to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, called the elections a “disgraceful power grab” by Republicans and Turzai, and said the results don’t reflect fair elections.
In a statement, state GOP chairman Lawrence Tabas said the elections show the strength of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania and have fortified the party’s majority in the state House.
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
