Pennsbury School Director Democratic Choice For State Rep. Seat

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The Bucks County Democratic Committee has selected a Pennsbury School Director as its candidate for the special election to replace State Rep. John T. Galloway.

Pennsbury School Board member Jim Prokopiak was selected as the county Democratic party's nominee to represent the 140th Legislative District.

Prokopiak was chosen over two other candidates since under Pennsylvania law, there is no primary for a special election, allowing each party to choose a candidate.

Prokopiak and Republican party nominee Candace Cabanas are now the two candidates in the Feb. 13 special election to replace Galloway, who resigned after winning the Nov. 7 general election to succeed Falls Township District Judge Jan Vislosky, who is retiring.

Galloway's resignation caused a 101-101 split of the state House of Representatives.

“With a 101-101 split in the PA House, this Special Election is critical to Democrats’ ability to maintain our majority and continue delivering for Pennsylvanians. Jim has been a champion of working people his whole life, and he will make a terrific partner in Harrisburg,” Rep. TinaDavis, Chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee and a member of House leadership, said. “Jim is a pro-choice and pro-labor Democrat who I am confident will help us protect our majority in this Special Election.”

The Democratic Committee selected the school board member over Levittown resident Donna Petrecco, and Galloway's chief of staff Melanie Bidlingmaier.

"Each candidate was considered by our local committee in the 140th, and Jim was ultimately selected. This was approved unanimously by the BCDC Executive Board, and now Jim is the sole Democratic candidate," said Zack Kirk, executive director of the Bucks County Democratic Committee.

Galloway represented the 140th Legislative District, which includes part of Middletown Township, Falls Township, Morrisville Borough, and Tullytown Borough.

“The people of Lower Bucks County need a voice in Harrisburg who is willing to fight for them,” Prokopiak said. “For too many people, the American dream is drifting further away — housing and healthcare are too expensive, and many jobs don't provide for those basic needs. Our schools are not properly funded, and college and technical training are too expensive.”

“As a local elected official for over a decade, I have worked on solving problems, both as a Falls Township Supervisor and a Pennsbury School Board member," he said. "However, at the local level, the options we have to help with many of the issues most important to our residents are limited. We need people in Harrisburg that will focus on solving problems, while also providing local elected officials with more tools to help combat the issues their communities face.”

“In Harrisburg, I will work with our Democratic majority to make real change in people’s lives. I
will work to lower the cost of living, help keep people in their homes, fully fund our public
schools, and always protect a woman’s right to choose,” Prokopiak added. “I am honored to
receive the nomination from the Bucks County Democrats. Together we will win in February.”

Prokopiak is a current Pennsbury School Board member and served as a Falls Township
Supervisor from 2002 to 2009.

He currently serves on the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority and volunteers in the community as a basketball and flag football coach. He’s a father of three kids who are all in the Pennsbury School District.

"Jim's long history of public service and dedication to his community make him the ideal
candidate for this important seat," Senator Steve Santarsiero, chairman of the Bucks County
Democrats, said. "Jim has consistently fought for the people of Lower Bucks County and knows
the struggles of working families in our community. He will be a fierce advocate for our shared
values in Harrisburg, and I look forward to helping him win on Feb. 13th."