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Pennsylvania, State House, District 9

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9
Current incumbentChris Sainato Democratic Party
Population56,261
Ethnicity5.4% Black, 0.8% Hispanic
Voting age78.6% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's ninth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Chris Sainato.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 56,261 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's ninth 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 9

Incumbent Chris Sainato (D) defeated Gregory Michalek (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Chris Sainato (D)
56.9
11,959

Gregory Michalek (R)
43.1
9,068

Total votes: 21,027
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9

Incumbent Chris Sainato advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Chris Sainato (D)
100
2,817

Total votes: 2,817
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9

Gregory Michalek advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Gregory Michalek (R)
100
2,748

Total votes: 2,748

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 Chris Sainato ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Chris Sainato Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Chris Sainato ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 9 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Chris Sainato Incumbent (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 Chris Sainato was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Gary Cangey defeated Gregory Michalek in the Republican primary. Sainato defeated Cangey in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 9 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngChris Sainato Incumbent 66.8% 10,085
Republican Gary Cangey 33.2% 5,002
Total Votes 15,087

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 9 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngGary Cangey 52.2% 1,007
Gregory Michalek 47.8% 921
Total Votes 1,928

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 Chris Sainato (D) defeated Jason Murtha (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 9, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngChris Sainato Incumbent 58.1% 13,791
Republican Jason Murtha 41.9% 9,941
Total Votes 23,732

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9 raised a total of $797,554. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $56,968 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 9

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $52,155 1 $52,155
2014 $60,194 3 $20,065
2012 $292,897 2 $146,449
2010 $60,295 1 $60,295
2008 $65,411 1 $65,411
2006 $54,910 1 $54,910
2004 $74,114 2 $37,057
2002 $58,293 1 $58,293
2000 $79,285 2 $39,643
Total $797,554 14 $56,968