Democrat Jim Prokopiak defeated Republican Candace Cabanas in the 140th District’s special election Tuesday, keeping Democrats in control of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives by a razor thin margin of two members.
Prokopiak won the mail-in ballots by a stunning 86 percent, or approximately 3,100 votes, to Cabanas’ meager 517 mail-in votes, according to unofficial results. The Associated Press called the race for the Falls resident shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m.
“It’s over,” said a longtime poll worker, as happy supporters gathered to watch returns at the Five Four Bar and Grill in Falls
Prokopiak, a lawyer, Pennsbury School Board member and ex-Falls supervisor, was at his campaign headquarters and briefly addressed supporters Tuesday night.
"Thank you. Take the rest of night off, and let’s get back at it tomorrow,” Prokopiak told a crowd.
Voter turnout in the 140th District's special election was light on Tuesday, but mail-in and absentee ballots were robust, in a race to determine whether Democrats or Republicans will control the state House of Representatives in Harrisburg.
Tuesday morning's snow storm that made local roads treacherous to travel kept voters away in Falls, Middletown, Morrisville and Tullytown, poll workers said.
The state rep seat was vacated by Rep. John Galloway, a Democrat, who resigned after winning the district justice seat in Falls last year.
On Friday, another House Republican resigned, giving Democrats a 101-100 majority.
"A lot of people seemed surprised there was even an election today," said a poll worker at Manor Elementary School, a bellwether district in Falls. By noon, the precinct that comprises the Thornridge section of Levittown reported 24 in-person voters, but 159 mail-ins.
Middletown's precincts reported similar numbers in precincts surveyed, as did Morrisville. Tullytown had one voting place, which reported 13 in-person voters by noon Tuesday, but 138 mail-in ballots.
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"Mail-ins will determine this election," said one long-time poll worker in Middletown.
The 140th has 33 polling precincts spread across Morrisville, Falls and Tullytown, and portions of Middletown, mostly in Levittown.
Cabanas has said previously she plans to run again during the general election.
“What I heard from voters is that Bucks County residents need help supporting their families, want control over their own bodies, and ensure they have the ability to chart their own paths in life,” Prokopiak said in a statement. “I’m committed to taking my conversations with voters to Harrisburg and making their dreams a reality.”
While campaigning, Prokopiak, 49, said his goals as a lawmaker aligned with the party’s larger ambitions since they retook the chamber — more money for K-12 education, preserving access to abortions and a higher minimum wage.
“No one can afford to live on the federal minimum wage in this area,” he said. “If we’re going to be talking about good-paying jobs and creating life-sustaining jobs, the first thing we have to do is raise the minimum wage because it’s clear that is not sustaining anybody.”
Democrats have kept all six seats that have gone up for special elections in the past year, in mostly reliably Democratic districts. Prokopiak will represent a seat that has favorably elected Democrats in past election cycles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Dems retain slim majority in PA House with Lower Bucks County win in 140th District
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