District 12 Defeat And Complacent Republicans
By Bob Small
We’re approaching the time when portents are seen in every primary, as though each one is “casting the runes”. (Just saw “The Winter’s Tale at Swarthmore Player’s Club second stage).
The last Democrat elected in Pennsylvania House District 12 was Patricia Carone in 1998. This is not a portent of upcoming elections, more like time for a change in one District. To quote the article, from neighboring Rep .Aaron Bernstine.
“Special elections aren’t typically indicative of a district. Very low turnout and those types of things,” Though
As of May of this year, Democrats have flipped 12 state legislative seats in special elections across the country since President Trump took office in January 2025. However, this fits a pattern of off-year elections.
Eugene Depasquale, Democrat Party chair said “it sets the stage for this November’s midterm elections.” However, Sam DeMarco, former GOP Chair of Allegheny County GOP concluded “Democrats didn’t win HD-12 as much as Republicans lost it”. By the way, Butler County is where Donald Trump was shot during his last campaign.
James Markley, another GOP Spokesperson warned “This needs to be a wake-up call for Republican voters.” By the way, Trump won this District in 2024 by 18 percentage points.
Chris Borick, Lehigh University Political Science Professor, said “I always put cautionary signs next to special elections.” Democratic voters mentioned the “Democratic Socialists” which may be the gift that keeps on giving,
istrict 12had been GOP since 1999 and previously both parties had stretches in power. Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 12. This election was decided by 87 votes.
See also Pennsylvania House District 12 (General Election)
