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Pennsylvania, State House, District 72

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72
Current incumbentFrank Burns Democratic Party
Population58,097
Ethnicity0.9% Black, 0.6% Hispanic
Voting age81% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's seventy-second state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Frank Burns.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 58,097 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's seventy-second 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 72

Incumbent Frank Burns (D) defeated Gerald Carnicella (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Frank Burns (D)
52.4
11,819

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Gerald Carnicella (R)
47.6
10,726

Total votes: 22,545
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72

Incumbent Frank Burns advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Frank Burns (D)
100
3,643

Total votes: 3,643
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72

Gerald Carnicella advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Gerald Carnicella (R)
100
3,050

Total votes: 3,050

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 Frank Burns defeated Cecilia Houser in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Frank Burns Incumbent 57.55% 16,361
Republican Cecilia Houser 42.45% 12,066
Total Votes 28,427
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Frank Burns defeated Martin Westrick in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Frank Burns Incumbent 73.34% 6,444
Democratic Martin Westrick 26.66% 2,342
Total Votes 8,786

Cecilia Houser ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Cecilia Houser (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 Frank Burns defeated Martin Westrick in the Democratic primary, while Philip Rice defeated Randall Jay Wilson in the Republican primary. Burns defeated Rice in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngFrank Burns Incumbent 62.6% 11,354
Republican Philip Rice 37.4% 6,792
Total Votes 18,146

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngFrank Burns Incumbent 68% 4,533
Martin Westrick 32% 2,132
Total Votes 6,665

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngPhilip Rice 79.4% 2,187
Randall Jay Wilson 20.6% 569
Total Votes 2,756

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 Frank Burns (D) was unopposed in both the general election and Democratic primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72 raised a total of $1,065,156. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $42,606 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 72

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $283,187 3 $94,396
2014 $112,329 4 $28,082
2012 $63,516 1 $63,516
2010 $85,149 1 $85,149
2008 $420,281 6 $70,047
2006 $20,433 3 $6,811
2004 $16,027 3 $5,342
2002 $28,082 2 $14,041
2000 $36,152 2 $18,076
Total $1,065,156 25 $42,606