2017_Pennsylvania_elections
Pennsylvania held statewide elections on November 7, 2017, to fill judicial positions on the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and the Commonwealth Court, to allow judicial retention votes, and to fill numerous county, local and municipal offices.
The necessary primary elections were held in May 2017.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
133rd legislative district
A special election for the 133rd legislative district took place on December 5, following the death of Democratic state representative Daniel McNeill.[1]
Democrats selected McNeill's wife Jeanne McNeill as their nominee.[2] Republicans nominated David Molony and Libertarians nominated Samantha Dorney.[3]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeanne McNeill | 2,302 | 67.43 | |
| Republican | David Molony | 992 | 29.06 | |
| Libertarian | Samantha Dorney | 120 | 3.51 | |
| Total votes | 3,414 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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197th legislative district
Democratic state representative Leslie Acosta was re-elected during the 2016 elections, but later resigned after pleading guilty to charges of embezzlement.[4] A special election for the 197th legislative district took place on March 21.
Republicans nominated Lucinda Little for the seat. Democrats originally nominated health clinic administrator Frederick Ramirez, but a Commonwealth Court ruling declared that Ramirez did not reside in the district and removed him from the ballot.[5] Democrats attempted to replace Ramirez with Philadelphia Parking Authority auditor Emilio Vazquez, but the Court ruled (and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania confirmed) that the filing deadline had passed, preventing the substitution.[6] Vazquez subsequently ran a write-in campaign, along with Green Party candidate Cheri Honkala.[7]
Following the special election, four elections officers were charged with interference after allegations of duress and voter intimidation were made.[8]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emilio Vazquez (write-in) | 1,972 | 73.20 | |
| Green | Cheri Honkala (write-in) | 286 | 10.62 | |
| Write-in | 235 | 8.72 | ||
| Republican | Lucinda Little | 201 | 7.46 | |
| Total votes | 2,694 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...
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Mundy: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Woodruff: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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One seat was up for election after Justice Michael Eakin resigned on March 15, 2016. Republican Superior Court judge Sallie Updyke Mundy was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to the seat vacated by Justice Eakin and was subsequently confirmed on June 27, 2016.[9] Justice Mundy ran for a full 10-year term.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Sallie Mundy, incumbent Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania[10]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sallie Mundy (incumbent) | 469,214 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 469,214 | 100.0% | ||
Close
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Dwayne Woodruff, Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback[12]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dwayne Woodruff | 633,112 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 633,112 | 100.0% | ||
Close
General election
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sallie Updyke Mundy (incumbent) | 1,090,485 | 52.28% | |
| Democratic | Dwayne Woodruff | 995,540 | 47.72% | |
| Total votes | 2,086,025 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
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Quick Facts 4 seats of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Majority party ...
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4 seats of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Four seats of the Superior Court were up for election. Three seats were up for partisan election due to the retirement of Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen in September 2015 and the election of then-Judges Christine Donohue and David Wecht to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2015. A fourth seat became vacant due to then–Judge Sallie Mundy's elevation to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in July 2016.
In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf appointed three judges to the Superior Court, Carl Solano, Lillian Harris Ransom, and Geoffrey Moulton.[14] The appointed judges filled the vacant seats of Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen, Justice Donohue, and Justice Wecht, respectively.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William Caye, Allegheny County prosecutor[15]
- Deborah Kunselman, Judge of the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas[16]
- Maria McLaughlin, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[17]
- Carolyn Nichols, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[18]
- H. Geoffrey Moulton Jr., incumbent Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania[19]
Withdrawn
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maria McLaughlin | 460,250 | 23.30% | |
| Democratic | Carolyn Nichols | 448,675 | 22.72% | |
| Democratic | Deborah Kunselman | 432,937 | 21.92% | |
| Democratic | Geoffrey Moulton Jr. (incumbent) | 361,547 | 18.31% | |
| Democratic | William Caye II | 271,533 | 13.75% | |
| Total votes | 1,974,942 | 100.0% | ||
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Republican primary
Candidates
- Emil Giordano, Judge of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas[20]
- Wade Kagarise, Judge of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas[21]
- Mary Murray, Judge of the Allegheny County Magisterial District Court[22]
- Paula Patrick, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[23]
- Craig Stedman, Lancaster County district attorney[24]
Withdrawn
- Carl Solano, incumbent Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania[16]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig Stedman | 380,027 | 24.66% | |
| Republican | Emil Giordano | 320,394 | 20.79% | |
| Republican | Wade Kagarise | 317,511 | 20.61% | |
| Republican | Mary P. Murray | 295,138 | 19.15% | |
| Republican | Paula A. Patrick | 227,751 | 14.78% | |
| Total votes | 1,540,821 | 100.0% | ||
Close
Third parties
Candidates
- Jules Mermelstein (Green), attorney and former Upper Dublin Township commissioner (1992–2011)[25]
General election
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maria McLaughlin | 1,078,522 | 14.09% | ||
| Democratic | Deborah Kunselman | 1,041,965 | 13.61% | ||
| Democratic | Carolyn Nichols | 978,842 | 12.79% | ||
| Republican | Mary Murray | 918,705 | 12.00% | ||
| Republican | Craig Stedman | 914,284 | 11.95% | ||
| Democratic | Geoffrey Moulton Jr. (incumbent) | 892,646 | 11.66% | ||
| Republican | Emil Giordano | 885,996 | 11.58% | ||
| Republican | Wade Kagarise | 835,647 | 10.92% | ||
| Green | Jules Mermelstein | 106,969 | 1.40% | ||
| Total votes | 7,653,576 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
| Republican hold | |||||
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Quick Facts 2 seats of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, Majority party ...
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2 seats of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Two seats were up for election. Judge Bernard McGinley retired from the court on January 31, 2016,[26][27] and Judge Bonnie Brigace Leadbetter became a senior judge on January 31, 2016. Governor Tom Wolf appointed Joseph Cosgrove and Julia Hearthway to fill the vacant seats of Judge McGinley and Judge Leadbetter, respectively.[14] Incumbent Judge Joseph Cosgrove, a Democrat, ran for a full 10-year term, while Judge Julia Hearthway, a Republican, did not run for a full term, and vacated her seat on September 1, 2017.[28]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bryan Barbin, state representative[29]
- W. Timothy Barry, municipal solicitor[30]
- Ellen Ceisler, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[31]
- Irene McLaughlin Clark, former Judge of the Pittsburgh Municipal Court[32]
- Joseph Cosgrove, incumbent Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania[33]
- Todd Eagen, managing partner, Welby, Stoltenberg, Cimballa & Cook, LLC[34]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ellen Ceisler | 280,209 | 24.28% | |
| Democratic | Irene Clark | 237,287 | 20.56% | |
| Democratic | W. Timothy Barry | 215,904 | 18.71% | |
| Democratic | Todd Eagen | 180,654 | 15.65% | |
| Democratic | Joseph Cosgrove (incumbent) | 169,869 | 14.72% | |
| Democratic | Bryan Barbin | 70,201 | 6.08% | |
| Total votes | 1,154,124 | 100.0% | ||
Close
Republican primary
Candidates
- Christine Fizzano Cannon, Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, former Delaware County commissioner (2007–2011)[35]
- Paul Lalley, senior associate, Campbell Durrant, P.C[36]
Declined
- Julia Hearthway, incumbent Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania[33]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Lalley | 400,090 | 53.57% | |
| Republican | Christine Fizzano Cannon | 346,755 | 46.43% | |
| Total votes | 746,845 | 100.0% | ||
Close
General election
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Christine Fizzano Cannon | 994,163 | 25.81% | ||
| Democratic | Ellen Ceisler | 988,295 | 25.65% | ||
| Democratic | Irene Clark | 958,384 | 24.88% | ||
| Republican | Paul Lalley | 911,418 | 23.66% | ||
| Total votes | 3,852,260 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Close
Supreme Court
More information Choice, Votes ...
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes |
1,074,905 | 68.25 |
| No | 500,162 | 31.75 |
| Total votes | 1,575,067 | 100.00 |
| Source: PA Department of State[13] | ||
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More information Choice, Votes ...
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes |
1,121,007 | 70.83 |
| No | 461,751 | 29.17 |
| Total votes | 1,582,758 | 100.00 |
| Source: PA Department of State[13] | ||
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Superior Court
More information Choice, Votes ...
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes |
1,073,774 | 69.31 |
| No | 475,429 | 30.69 |
| Total votes | 1,549,203 | 100.00 |
| Source: PA Department of State[13] | ||
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Pittsburgh
Main article: 2017 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Lancaster
Main article: 2017 Lancaster, Pennsylvania mayoral election
Allentown
Main article: 2017 Allentown mayoral election
Harrisburg
Main article: 2017 Harrisburg mayoral election
More information Choice, Votes ...
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes |
963,324 | 53.99 |
| No | 821,002 | 46.01 |
| Total votes | 1,784,326 | 100.00 |
| Source: PA Department of State | ||
Close
- Engelkemier, Paul (September 18, 2017). "Turzai Sets Date for Special Election to Replace McNeill". PoliticsPA. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Engelkemier, Paul (October 3, 2017). "Pa. Dems Announce Candidate for 133rd House District Special Election". PoliticsPA. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Engelkemier, Paul (December 6, 2017). "McNeill Wins Husband's Seat in Special Election". PoliticsPA. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Sasko, Claire (December 9, 2016). "Convicted State Rep. Leslie Acosta to Resign". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- Scolforo, Mark (February 24, 2017). "Too few flushes get legislative candidate thrown off ballot". Associated Press. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Engelkemier, Paul (March 13, 2017). "HD-197: Supreme Court Keeps Democratic Candidate Off the Ballot". PoliticsPA. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Brennan, Chris (March 3, 2017). "North Philly feud costs Democrats a shot at a state House seat". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Engelkemier, Paul (October 30, 2017). "Four Charged With Interference in the 197th House District Special Election". PoliticsPA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Mendicino, Anthony (June 28, 2016). "Sallie Updyke Mundy appointed to Pennsylvania Supreme Court". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 2, 2017). "PA GOP Caucus Straw Poll Results". Politics PA.
- "2017 Municipal Primary Official Results". Pennsylvania Department of State.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 15, 2017). "Supreme Court Candidate: Dwayne Woodruff". Politics PA.
- "2017 Pennsylvania Elections - Summary Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. November 7, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
- Field, Nick (June 14, 2016). "PA-Gov: Wolf Names Supreme Court, Other Judicial Nominees". Politics PA.
- Field, Nick (January 9, 2017). "Caye Announces Superior Court Candidacy". Politics PA.
- Engelkemier, Paul (March 8, 2017). "Statewide Candidates Get on the Ballot". Politics PA.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 8, 2017). "Philly Judge McLaughlin Enters Superior Court Race". Politics PA.
- Field, Nick (January 12, 2017). "Trio of Superior Court Candidates Emerge". Politics PA.
- Stephan, Hope (January 19, 2017). "Appointed Superior Court judge launches campaign for full term". The Patriot-News.
- Engelkemier, Paul (August 31, 2017). "Giordano endorsed by PA United Steelworkers". Politics PA.
- Ray, Phil (November 20, 2016). "Kagarise seeking Superior Court post". Altoona Mirror.
- Miller, Brittany (January 4, 2017). "Judge announces candidacy for Pa. Superior Court". The Patriot-News.
- Engelkemier, Paul (March 7, 2017). "Superior Court Candidate: Paula Patrick". Politics PA.
- Robinson, Wesley (January 12, 2017). "DA Craig Stedman mulling run for state Superior Court". The Patriot-News.
- Engelkemier, Paul (August 15, 2017). "Third Party Candidate Enters Race for Superior Court". Politics PA.
- "Subsequent Commissioned Judge Biographies - Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Historical Society". Archived from the original on December 7, 2020.
- "Kenneth Roberto v. PA State Police" (PDF). Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. April 27, 2016.
- "William J. Green IV v. Thomas W. Wolf" (PDF). Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. December 4, 2017.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 6, 2017). "Barbin Jumps into Commonwealth Court Race". Politics PA.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 10, 2017). "Judicial Hopefuls Make Last Minute Pitch Before Dems Endorsement". Politics PA.
- Field, Nick (January 5, 2017). "Ceisler to Seek Seat on Commonwealth Court". Politics PA.
- Engelkemier, Paul (February 8, 2017). "Clark Tosses Hat into Commonwealth Court Race". Politics PA.
- "Candidate Spotlight – Todd Eagen – Commonwealth Court". PA Dems. May 15, 2017.
- Engelkemier, Paul (January 27, 2017). "Delco Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon Jumps into GOP Commonwealth Court Race". Politics PA.
- Field, Nick (December 13, 2016). "Lalley Enters Commonwealth Court Race". Politics PA.