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Pennsylvania, State House, District 97

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97
Current incumbentSteven Mentzer Republican Party
Population66,456
Ethnicity2.3% Black, 3.9% Hispanic
Voting age76.5% age 18 and over

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

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 97

Incumbent Steven Mentzer (R) defeated Dana Gulick (D) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Steven Mentzer (R)
56.6
18,469

Dana Gulick (D)
43.4
14,137

Total votes: 32,606
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97

Dana Gulick advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Dana Gulick (D)
100
3,338

Total votes: 3,338
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97

Incumbent Steven Mentzer advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Steven Mentzer (R)
100
6,448

Total votes: 6,448

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

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Steven Mentzer Incumbent 63.13% 22,952
Democratic Charles Klein 36.87% 13,403
Total Votes 36,355
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Charles Klein ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 97 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 97 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Charles Klein (unopposed)

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

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 97 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Steven Mentzer 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 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

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSteven Mentzer Incumbent 64.5% 14,746
Democratic Charles Hample 35.5% 8,117
Total Votes 22,863

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

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $107,472 2 $53,736
2014 $138,801 2 $69,401
2012 * $27,081 2 $13,541
2010 $63,997 2 $31,999
2008 $27,130 1 $27,130
2006 $253,496 3 $84,499
2004 $31,919 1 $31,919
2002 $73,423 2 $36,712
2000 $8,975 1 $8,975
Total $732,294 16 $45,768
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.