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Pennsylvania, State House, District 70

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70
Current incumbentMatthew Bradford Democratic Party
Population68,081
Ethnicity14.3% Black, 7.6% Hispanic
Voting age76.5% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's seventieth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Matthew Bradford.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 68,081 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's seventieth state house district. Pennsylvania state representatives represent an average of 62,573 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 60,498 residents.

About the chamber

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.

Qualifications

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.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$87,180/year$183/day

Pension

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.

Vacancies

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

2020

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.

2018

General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70

Incumbent Matthew Bradford (D) defeated Christopher Mundiath (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Matthew Bradford (D)
69.3
16,055

Christopher Mundiath (R)
30.7
7,112

Total votes: 23,167
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70

Incumbent Matthew Bradford advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Matthew Bradford (D)
100
3,087

Total votes: 3,087
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70

Christopher Mundiath advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Christopher Mundiath (R)
100
1,868

Total votes: 1,868

2016

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 Matthew Bradford defeated Charles Springer in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Matthew Bradford Incumbent 66.99% 18,433
Republican Charles Springer 33.01% 9,084
Total Votes 27,517
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Matthew Bradford ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 70 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Matthew Bradford Incumbent (unopposed)

Charles Springer ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 70 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Charles Springer (unopposed)


2014

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 Matthew Bradford was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Joseph Prestia (R) withdrew from the race on March 26, 2014. Bradford was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

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 Matthew Bradford (D) defeated Jim Phillips (R) in the general election and was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Phillips was chosen to replace Alan Apt after Apt was removed from the ballot following a petition challenge.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 70, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMatthew Bradford Incumbent 64.8% 20,663
Republican Jim Phillips 35.2% 11,235
Total Votes 31,898

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70 raised a total of $2,605,407. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $124,067 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 70

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $107,328 2 $53,664
2014 $150,805 1 $150,805
2012 * $252,670 2 $126,335
2010 $557,750 2 $278,875
2008 $787,777 3 $262,592
2006 $359,555 3 $119,852
2004 $125,069 2 $62,535
2002 $120,820 4 $30,205
2000 $143,633 2 $71,817
Total $2,605,407 21 $124,067
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.