- Share on WeChat
-
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 | ||
| Current incumbent | Wendi Thomas  | |
| Population | 61,167 | |
| Ethnicity | 0.9% Black, 1.3% Hispanic | |
| Voting age | 76.8% age 18 and over | |
Pennsylvania's one hundred and seventy-eighth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Wendi Thomas.
As of the 2010 census, a total of 61,167 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and seventy-eighth 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.
Wendi Thomas (R) defeated incumbent Helen Tai (D) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Wendi Thomas (R) |
50.8
|
17,608 |
|
|
Helen Tai (D) |
49.2
|
17,036 | |
|
|
Total votes: 34,644 |
Incumbent Helen Tai advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Helen Tai (D) |
100
|
6,269 |
|
|
Total votes: 6,269 |
Wendi Thomas advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Wendi Thomas (R) |
100
|
6,649 |
|
|
Total votes: 6,649 |
A special election for the position of Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 was held on May 15, 2018. Candidates running for special elections in Pennsylvania are selected by their respective political parties.
The seat was left vacant after the resignation of Scott Petri (R) on December 31, 2017. Petri resigned from the state House after being appointed to the position of executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Helen Tai (D) defeated Wendi Thomas (R) in the special election.
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 Scott Petri defeated Neale Dougherty in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 general election.Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178, General Election, 2016
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Scott Petri Incumbent |
61.07% | 23,567 | |
| Democratic | Neale Dougherty | 38.93% | 15,021 | |
| Total Votes | 38,588 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 178 Democratic Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neale Dougherty (unopposed) |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 178 Republican Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Petri Incumbent (unopposed) |
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 Scott Petri was unopposed in the Republican primary. Petri was unchallenged in the general election.
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 Scott Petri (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.
From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178 raised a total of $2,066,814. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $114,823 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.
Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 178
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $314,373 | 2 | $157,187 |
| 2014 | $60,185 | 1 | $60,185 |
| 2012 | $76,100 | 1 | $76,100 |
| 2010 | $77,374 | 2 | $38,687 |
| 2008 | $447,704 | 2 | $223,852 |
| 2006 | $143,442 | 3 | $47,814 |
| 2004 | $144,080 | 2 | $72,040 |
| 2002 | $607,997 | 2 | $303,999 |
| 2000 | $195,559 | 3 | $65,186 |
| Total | $2,066,814 | 18 | $114,823 |
