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| Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55 | ||
| Current incumbent | Joseph Petrarca  | |
| Population | 60,812 | |
| Ethnicity | 1.4% Black, 0.5% Hispanic | |
| Voting age | 79.7% age 18 and over | |
Pennsylvania's fifty-fifth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Joseph Petrarca.
As of the 2010 census, a total of 60,812 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's fifty-fifth state house district. Pennsylvania state representatives represent an average of 62,573 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 60,498 residents.
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.
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.
| State legislators | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $87,180/year | $183/day |
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.
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 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.
Incumbent Joseph Petrarca (D) won election in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Joseph Petrarca (D) |
100
|
14,579 |
|
|
Total votes: 14,579 |
Incumbent Joseph Petrarca advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Joseph Petrarca (D) |
100
|
3,198 |
|
|
Total votes: 3,198 |
No Republican candidates ran in the primary.
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 Joseph Petrarca defeated Michael Geiselhart in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55 general election.Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55, General Election, 2016
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Joseph Petrarca Incumbent |
56.39% | 15,554 | |
| Republican | Michael Geiselhart | 43.61% | 12,028 | |
| Total Votes | 27,582 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State | ||||
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 55 Democratic Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Petrarca Incumbent (unopposed) |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 55 Republican Primary, 2016
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Geiselhart (unopposed) |
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 Joseph Petrarca was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Brian Panichelle was unopposed in the Republican primary. Petrarca defeated Panichelle in the general election.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 55 General Election, 2014
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Petrarca Incumbent |
62% | 9,731 | |
| Republican | Brian Panichelle | 38% | 5,953 | |
| Total Votes | 15,684 | |||
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 Joseph Petrarca (D) defeated John Hauser (R) in the general election and was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hauser replaced John Palaika after Palaika withdrew following the Republican primary.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 55, General Election, 2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Petrarca Incumbent |
56.1% | 13,757 | |
| Republican | John Hauser | 43.9% | 10,770 | |
| Total Votes | 24,527 | |||
From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55 raised a total of $644,552. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $49,581 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.
Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 55
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $120,972 | 2 | $60,486 | |
| 2014 | $68,074 | 2 | $34,037 | |
| 2012 * | $179,180 | 2 | $89,590 | |
| 2010 | $49,463 | 1 | $49,463 | |
| 2008 | $59,908 | 1 | $59,908 | |
| 2006 | $40,867 | 1 | $40,867 | |
| 2004 | $44,569 | 1 | $44,569 | |
| 2002 | $31,895 | 1 | $31,895 | |
| 2000 | $49,624 | 2 | $24,812 | |
| Total | $644,552 | 13 | $49,581 | |
| * Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district. | ||||
