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Pennsylvania, State House, District 154

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154
Current incumbentSteve McCarter Democratic Party
Population61,845
Ethnicity22.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic
Voting age78.9% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-fourth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Steve McCarter.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 61,845 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-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 154

Incumbent Steve McCarter (D) defeated Kathleen Bowers (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Steve McCarter (D)
81.5
26,592

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Kathleen Bowers (R)
18.5
6,047

Total votes: 32,639
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154

Incumbent Steve McCarter advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Steve McCarter (D)
100
9,146

Total votes: 9,146
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154

Kathleen Bowers advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Kathleen Bowers (R)
100
1,440

Total votes: 1,440

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 Steve McCarter defeated Thomas Estilow in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Steve McCarter Incumbent 77.75% 27,067
Republican Thomas Estilow 22.25% 7,747
Total Votes 34,814
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Steve McCarter ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 154 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Steve McCarter Incumbent (unopposed)

Thomas Estilow ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 154 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Thomas Estilow (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 Steve McCarter was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Robert Gillies, Jr. was unopposed in the Republican primary. McCarter defeated Gillies in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 154 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngSteve McCarter Incumbent 73.5% 17,553
Republican Robert Gillies, Jr. 26.5% 6,329
Total Votes 23,882

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. Steve McCarter (D) defeated Mark Sirinides (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 154, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngSteve McCarter 75.6% 25,794
Republican Mark Sirinides 24.4% 8,309
Total Votes 34,103

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154 raised a total of $651,599. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $40,725 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 154

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $97,370 2 $48,685
2014 $132,386 2 $66,193
2012 * $99,827 1 $99,827
2010 $99,791 3 $33,264
2008 $30,867 1 $30,867
2006 $58,042 2 $29,021
2004 $56,910 2 $28,455
2002 $31,108 1 $31,108
2000 $45,298 2 $22,649
Total $651,599 16 $40,725
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.