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| Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 | ||
| Current incumbent | Leanne Krueger-Braneky  | |
| Population | 62,028 | |
| Ethnicity | 4.7% Black, 2% Hispanic | |
| Voting age | 77.9% age 18 and over | |
Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-first state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Leanne Krueger-Braneky.
As of the 2010 census, a total of 62,028 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-first state house district. Pennsylvania state representatives represent an average of 62,573 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 60,498 residents.
Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Pennsylvania legislators' terms officially begin on December 1 the year of their election. However, legislators take the oath of office the first Tuesday in January.
Under Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution, senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age and representatives twenty-one years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of their respective districts one year before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State) and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.
| State legislators | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $87,180/year | $183/day |
Legislators in Pennsylvania are able to retire at age 50, while other state workers cannot retire until they turn 60. In 2011, the average legislative pension was $35,221 annually, while the average state employee pension was $23,491. According to former legislator David Mayernik, who began collecting a pension of $29,583 a year when he retired at age 50, the lowered retirement age was intended as compensation for small legislative salaries as well as the uncertainty of serving in office.
If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The Speaker of the House is responsible for calling an election. There are no deadlines set in the state constitution on when a special election can be held.
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for April 28, 2020. The filing deadline is February 18, 2020.
Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) defeated Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) |
59.1
|
18,443 |
|
|
Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R) |
40.9
|
12,775 | |
|
|
Total votes: 31,218 |
Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) |
100
|
5,607 |
|
|
Total votes: 5,607 |
Patti Rodgers Morrisette advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R) |
100
|
4,489 |
|
|
Total votes: 4,489 |
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016.
Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky defeated Patti Rodgers Morrisette in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 general election.Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161, General Election, 2016
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Leanne Krueger-Braneky Incumbent |
50.83% | 18,218 | |
| Republican | Patti Rodgers Morrisette | 49.17% | 17,621 | |
| Total Votes | 35,839 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161 Democratic Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Leanne Krueger-Braneky Incumbent (unopposed) |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161 Republican Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | Patti Rodgers Morrisette (unopposed) |
A special election for the position of Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 was called for August 4. Candidates were nominated by parties rather than chosen in primaries.
The seat was vacant following Joe Hackett's (R) decision to explore a return to the District Attorney's Criminal Investigation Division.
Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) defeated Paul Mullen (R) and Lisa Esler (R, write-in) in the special election.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161, Special Election, 2015
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Leanne Krueger-Braneky |
52.9% | 4,791 | |
| Republican | Paul Mullen | 47.1% | 4,268 | |
| Total Votes | 9,059 | |||
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Incumbent Joe Hackett was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Leanne Krueger-Braneky was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hackett defeated Krueger-Braneky in the general election.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161, General Election, 2014
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Hackett Incumbent |
55.9% | 12,916 | |
| Democratic | Leanne Krueger-Braneky | 44.1% | 10,176 | |
| Total Votes | 23,092 | |||
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on April 24, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 16, 2012. Incumbent Joe Hackett (R) defeated Larry DeMarco (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161, General Election, 2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Hackett Incumbent |
52.7% | 17,972 | |
| Democratic | Larry DeMarco | 47.3% | 16,137 | |
| Total Votes | 34,109 | |||
From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 raised a total of $5,707,050. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $335,709 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.
Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $929,351 | 2 | $464,676 |
| 2014 | $1,000,591 | 2 | $500,296 |
| 2012 | $714,375 | 2 | $357,188 |
| 2010 | $650,973 | 2 | $325,487 |
| 2008 | $401,074 | 2 | $200,537 |
| 2006 | $1,221,553 | 2 | $610,777 |
| 2004 | $115,785 | 1 | $115,785 |
| 2002 | $618,363 | 2 | $309,182 |
| 2000 | $54,985 | 2 | $27,493 |
| Total | $5,707,050 | 17 | $335,709 |
