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Pennsylvania, State House, District 163

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163
Current incumbentMichael Zabel Democratic Party
Population58,096
Ethnicity16% Black, 2% Hispanic
Voting age78.5% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-third state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Michael Zabel.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 58,096 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-third 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 163

Michael Zabel (D) defeated incumbent Jamie Santora (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Michael Zabel (D)
53.4
15,417

Jamie Santora (R)
46.6
13,471

Total votes: 28,888
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163

Michael Zabel advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Michael Zabel (D)
100
4,111

Total votes: 4,111
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163

Incumbent Jamie Santora advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Jamie Santora (R)
100
4,424

Total votes: 4,424

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 Jamie Santora defeated Barbarann Keffer in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Jamie Santora Incumbent 54.27% 18,176
Democratic Barbarann Keffer 45.73% 15,313
Total Votes 33,489
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Barbarann Keffer ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Barbarann Keffer (unopposed)

Incumbent Jamie Santora ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Jamie Santora 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. Vincent Rongione was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jamie Santora was unopposed in the Republican primary. Rongione was defeated by Santora in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJamie Santora 53.6% 11,644
Democratic Vincent Rongione 46.4% 10,100
Total Votes 21,744

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 Nicholas Micozzie (R) defeated Sheamus Bonner (D) in the general election and was unopposed in the Republican primary. Bonner defeated Robert Cassidy in the Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngNicholas Micozzie Incumbent 50.9% 14,432
Democratic Sheamus Bonner 49.1% 13,937
Total Votes 28,369

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngSheamus Bonner 71.2% 1,977
Robert Cassidy 28.8% 799
Total Votes 2,776

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 raised a total of $3,269,572. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $192,328 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $944,693 2 $472,347
2014 $1,022,834 2 $511,417
2012 * $156,782 2 $78,391
2010 $155,983 2 $77,992
2008 $303,043 2 $151,522
2006 $297,783 2 $148,892
2004 $156,873 2 $78,437
2002 $130,988 2 $65,494
2000 $100,593 1 $100,593
Total $3,269,572 17 $192,328
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.