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Pennsylvania, State House, District 44

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44
Current incumbentValerie Gaydos Republican Party
Population70,046
Ethnicity3.5% Black, 1.4% Hispanic
Voting age77.8% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's forty-fourth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Valerie Gaydos.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 70,046 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's forty-fourth 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 44

Valerie Gaydos (R) defeated Michele Knoll (D) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Valerie Gaydos (R)
51.7
15,338

Michele Knoll (D)
48.3
14,319

Total votes: 29,657
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44

Michele Knoll advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Michele Knoll (D)
100
3,533

Total votes: 3,533
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44

Valerie Gaydos defeated David Bachman, Robert Doddato, and Scott Larue in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Valerie Gaydos (R)
29.8
1,350

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

David Bachman (R)
29.3
1,324

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Robert Doddato (R)
26.3
1,190

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Scott Larue (R)
14.6
662

Total votes: 4,526

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 T. Mark Mustio ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png T. Mark Mustio Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent T. Mark Mustio ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 44 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png T. Mark Mustio 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 T. Mark Mustio was unopposed in the Republican 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 T. Mark Mustio (R) defeated Mark Scappe (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 44, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngT. Mark Mustio Incumbent 61.9% 21,581
Democratic Mark Scappe 38.1% 13,259
Total Votes 34,840

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44 raised a total of $1,615,655. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $124,281 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 44

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $230,491 1 $230,491
2014 $111,635 1 $111,635
2012 * $86,499 1 $86,499
2010 $170,311 2 $85,156
2008 $431,866 2 $215,933
2006 $167,064 2 $83,532
2004 $149,696 2 $74,848
2002 $135,683 1 $135,683
2000 $132,410 1 $132,410
Total $1,615,655 13 $124,281
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.