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Pennsylvania, State House, District 161

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161
Current incumbentLeanne Krueger-Braneky Democratic Party
Population62,028
Ethnicity4.7% Black, 2% Hispanic
Voting age77.9% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-first state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Leanne Krueger-Braneky.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 62,028 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and sixty-first 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 161

Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) defeated Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D)
59.1
18,443

Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R)
40.9
12,775

Total votes: 31,218
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161

Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D)
100
5,607

Total votes: 5,607
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161

Patti Rodgers Morrisette advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Patti Rodgers Morrisette (R)
100
4,489

Total votes: 4,489

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 Leanne Krueger-Braneky defeated Patti Rodgers Morrisette in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Leanne Krueger-Braneky Incumbent 50.83% 18,218
Republican Patti Rodgers Morrisette 49.17% 17,621
Total Votes 35,839
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Leanne Krueger-Braneky ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Leanne Krueger-Braneky Incumbent (unopposed)

Patti Rodgers Morrisette ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Patti Rodgers Morrisette (unopposed)


2015

A special election for the position of Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 was called for August 4. Candidates were nominated by parties rather than chosen in primaries.

The seat was vacant following Joe Hackett's (R) decision to explore a return to the District Attorney's Criminal Investigation Division.

Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D) defeated Paul Mullen (R) and Lisa Esler (R, write-in) in the special election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161, Special Election, 2015

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngLeanne Krueger-Braneky 52.9% 4,791
Republican Paul Mullen 47.1% 4,268
Total Votes 9,059

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 Joe Hackett was unopposed in the Republican primary, while Leanne Krueger-Braneky was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hackett defeated Krueger-Braneky in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJoe Hackett Incumbent 55.9% 12,916
Democratic Leanne Krueger-Braneky 44.1% 10,176
Total Votes 23,092

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. Incumbent Joe Hackett (R) defeated Larry DeMarco (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 161, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJoe Hackett Incumbent 52.7% 17,972
Democratic Larry DeMarco 47.3% 16,137
Total Votes 34,109

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161 raised a total of $5,707,050. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $335,709 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 161

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $929,351 2 $464,676
2014 $1,000,591 2 $500,296
2012 $714,375 2 $357,188
2010 $650,973 2 $325,487
2008 $401,074 2 $200,537
2006 $1,221,553 2 $610,777
2004 $115,785 1 $115,785
2002 $618,363 2 $309,182
2000 $54,985 2 $27,493
Total $5,707,050 17 $335,709