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Pennsylvania, State House, District 156

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156
Current incumbentCarolyn Comitta Democratic Party
Population64,294
Ethnicity6.4% Black, 5.2% Hispanic
Voting age81.1% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-sixth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Carolyn Comitta.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 64,294 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-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 156

Incumbent Carolyn Comitta (D) defeated Nicholas Deminski (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Carolyn Comitta (D)
56.5
17,923

Nicholas Deminski (R)
43.5
13,792

Total votes: 31,715
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156

Incumbent Carolyn Comitta advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Carolyn Comitta (D)
100
4,183

Total votes: 4,183
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156

Nicholas Deminski advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Nicholas Deminski (R)
100
4,180

Total votes: 4,180

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.

Carolyn Comitta defeated incumbent Dan Truitt in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Carolyn Comitta 50.03% 18,267
Republican Dan Truitt Incumbent 49.97% 18,242
Total Votes 36,509
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Carolyn Comitta ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Carolyn Comitta (unopposed)

Incumbent Dan Truitt ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Dan Truitt 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 Dan Truitt was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Sandra Snyder was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Truitt defeated Snyder in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDan Truitt Incumbent 59.8% 12,429
Democratic Sandra Snyder 40.2% 8,350
Total Votes 20,779

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 Dan Truitt (R) defeated Bret Binder (D) in the general election and was unopposed in the Republican primary. Binder defeated Cassandra Jones in the Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDan Truitt Incumbent 51.3% 17,080
Democratic Bret Binder 48.7% 16,193
Total Votes 33,273

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBret Binder 52.8% 1,252
Cassandra Jones 47.2% 1,117
Total Votes 2,369

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 raised a total of $3,958,659. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $179,939 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $997,723 2 $498,862
2014 $165,652 2 $82,826
2012 * $637,203 3 $212,401
2010 $239,115 4 $59,779
2008 $727,222 2 $363,611
2006 $671,568 2 $335,784
2004 $275,448 2 $137,724
2002 $112,023 2 $56,012
2000 $132,705 3 $44,235
Total $3,958,659 22 $179,939
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.