Pennsylvania's ninety-seventh state house district is represented by Republican Representative Steven Mentzer.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 66,456 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's ninety-seventh 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

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

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 Steven Mentzer defeated Charles Klein in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97, General Election, 2016

Charles Klein ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 Democratic primary.
Incumbent Steven Mentzer ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 Republican primary.

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 Steven Mentzer was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Charles Hample was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Mentzer defeated Hample in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 97 General Election, 2014

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. Steven Mentzer (R) was unopposed in the general election and was chosen to replace John Bear after Bear withdrew following the Republican primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 raised a total of $732,294. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $45,768 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97