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Pennsylvania, State House, District 145

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145
Current incumbentCraig Staats Republican Party
Population65,216
Ethnicity1.4% Black, 2.3% Hispanic
Voting age76.4% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and forty-fifth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Craig Staats.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 65,216 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and forty-fifth 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 145

Incumbent Craig Staats (R) defeated Brian Kline (D) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Craig Staats (R)
56.5
15,598

Brian Kline (D)
43.5
11,997

Total votes: 27,595
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145

Brian Kline advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Brian Kline (D)
100
3,030

Total votes: 3,030
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145

Incumbent Craig Staats advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Craig Staats (R)
100
3,981

Total votes: 3,981

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 Craig Staats defeated Vera Cole in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Craig Staats Incumbent 58.30% 18,695
Democratic Vera Cole 41.70% 13,372
Total Votes 32,067
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Vera Cole ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 145 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Vera Cole (unopposed)

Incumbent Craig Staats ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 145 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Craig Staats 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. Craig Staats was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Karen Chellew defeated Brian Kline and Jonathan McCartney in the Democratic primary. Staats defeated Chellew in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 145 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngCraig Staats 58.7% 11,268
Democratic Karen Chellew 41.3% 7,914
Total Votes 19,182

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 145 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngKaren Chellew 43.2% 1,210
Brian Kline 39.5% 1,107
Jonathan McCartney 17.3% 484
Total Votes 2,801

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 Paul Clymer (R) defeated Mary Whitesell (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 145, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngPaul Clymer Incumbent 64.7% 19,692
Democratic Mary Whitesell 35.3% 10,739
Total Votes 30,431

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145 raised a total of $715,350. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $34,064 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 145

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $97,099 2 $48,550
2014 $277,498 4 $69,375
2012 $39,498 2 $19,749
2010 $48,410 2 $24,205
2008 $92,644 3 $30,881
2006 $43,350 2 $21,675
2004 $44,312 2 $22,156
2002 $47,192 3 $15,731
2000 $25,347 1 $25,347
Total $715,350 21 $34,064