Democrats Secure PA House Control With 140th District Election

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —With the projected win by Democrat Jim Prokopiak in the 140th Legislative District Tuesday night, the Democratic Party was able to increase its control over the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by two seats.

With 100 percent of the 33 precincts reporting, Prokopiak received 6,462 votes, or 67.33 percent. That was more than double the tally for Republican Candace Cabanas, who garnered 3,079 votes (32.08 percent), according to unofficial results from the Bucks County Board of Elections.

There were also 56 write-in votes. Voter turnout in the special election to choose a candidate to fill former State Rep. John Galloway's remaining term was 23.3 percent Tuesday.

Had Republicans won, the state House of Representatives would have once again been deadlocked 101-101 between Democrats and Republicans. A Republican win would have set up the GOP to gain control of both legislative chambers in April.

Ballots counted were 9,611 of 41,187 registered voters in the 140th Legislative District, which includes Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, Falls Township, and some of Middletown Township.

“I ran for this seat because I want to make peoples’ lives easier in Bucks County," Prokopiak said after the election. "What I heard from voters is that Bucks County residents need help supporting their families, want control over their own bodies, and ensure they have the ability to chart their own paths in life."

Prokopiak serves on the Pennsbury School Board and also is a former Falls Township Supervisor.

"I’m committed to taking my conversations with voters to Harrisburg and making their dreams a reality," he said. "I want to thank voters in my district who put their trust in me, as well as the DLCC for their support. I’m excited to get to work with the House Democratic majority to deliver for families across Bucks County and Pennsylvania. I’m honored to join the Pennsylvania Democratic caucus and look forward to being back on the ballot for a full term in November.”

Prokopiak has secured signatures to be on the April 28 primary ballot. Cabanas, a Falls Township native, has also done the same —potentially setting up a rematch in the November general election.

Galloway's resignation in mid-December to become the Magisterial District Justice for Falls Township, split the PA House 101-101 between Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats had controlled the House by one vote when new state Rep. Melissa Cerrato unseated longtime Republican representative Todd Stephens in the 151st Legislative District in Montgomery County.

But then on Friday, State Rep. Joe Adams (R-Pike/Wayne) announced that he is resigning from his position representing the 139th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. There will be a special election for his seat sometime in the future.

That meant that Democrats had regained control of the House, 101-100, before Tuesday's election.

Bucks County voters represent a key part of the electorate that Democrats need to win over to build Democratic majorities across the country, the party said in a press release following the election.

The projected special election victory marks six special election victories for Pennsylvania House Democrats since February 2023, as they’ve maintained their slim majority.