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Pennsylvania, State House, District 96

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96
Current incumbentP. Michael Sturla Democratic Party
Population63,666
Ethnicity16.7% Black, 32.3% Hispanic
Voting age74.9% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's ninety-sixth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative P. Michael Sturla.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 63,666 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's ninety-sixth 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 96

Incumbent P. Michael Sturla (D) won election in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

P. Michael Sturla (D)
100
15,318

Total votes: 15,318
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96

Incumbent P. Michael Sturla advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

P. Michael Sturla (D)
100
2,753

Total votes: 2,753
Republican primary election

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

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 P. Michael Sturla defeated Robert Bigley in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png P. Michael Sturla Incumbent 73.25% 17,340
Republican Robert Bigley 26.75% 6,332
Total Votes 23,672
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent P. Michael Sturla ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 96 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png P. Michael Sturla Incumbent (unopposed)

Robert Bigley ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 96 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Robert Bigley (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 P. Michael Sturla was unopposed in the Democratic primary and 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 P. Michael Sturla (D) defeated Thomas Garman (R) Paul Culbreth (I) in the general election. Sturla and Garman were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 96, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngP. Michael Sturla Incumbent 67.5% 14,659
Republican Thomas Garman 25.3% 5,493
Independent Paul Culbreth 7.3% 1,581
Total Votes 21,733

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96 raised a total of $1,658,752. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $97,574 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $218,116 2 $109,058
2014 $181,297 1 $181,297
2012 * $226,072 2 $113,036
2010 $220,872 2 $110,436
2008 $148,369 1 $148,369
2006 $372,152 3 $124,051
2004 $112,493 2 $56,247
2002 $89,929 2 $44,965
2000 $89,452 2 $44,726
Total $1,658,752 17 $97,574
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.