Democratic legislative campaign arm jumps into special Pennsylvania statehouse race

The Democratic legislative campaign arm is jumping into a special Pennsylvania statehouse race whose outcome will determine control of the state’s lower chamber, which is currently evenly divided along party lines. 

The Democratic committee, which is focused on winning state legislatures, announced it will invest $50,000 into the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus, according to a press release first shared with The Hill. 

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is boosting Pennsbury School Board member Jim Prokopiak, who's running in the 140th State House District’s special election in Bucks County, against Republican Candace Cabanas. 

In the press release announcing her candidacy, Cabanas said she would strongly support law enforcement and vowed to fight to lower health care costs for the county. Prokopiak said he would work with the new Democratic majority to ensure more funding for public schools, lower the cost of living and protect access to abortion. 

“This race is one of the most important special elections of the year and the DLCC is all hands on deck to ensure that Jim Prokopiak emerges victorious,” said DLCC President Heather Williams. “Everything is on the line — from control of the Speaker’s gavel to the future of fundamental freedoms like abortion access. This is a must-win race and our in-state partners need every resource possible to mount the strongest campaign possible in this notorious battleground county.” 

The special election for the open seat is expected to attract state-wide interest. The seat had been represented by state Rep. John Galloway since 2007, but he resigned in mid-December after winning a district judgeship in an uncontested November general election. 

The special election is scheduled for Feb. 13, but the chamber will not be able to hold votes until March 18, when repairs are finished from a burst heating coil above the building’s ceiling. 

Last year, the state’s special elections determined control of the state House three different times. 

The Pennsylvania House seat is one of the priorities for the DLCC. In December, the committee announced it would spend $300,000 on resources in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Michigan and Arizona for state legislative campaigns. 

“Pennsylvania will be a major battleground this November at all levels of the ballot and putting Democrats in the strongest possible position begins with this special election next month.” Williams said.