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Pennsylvania, State Senate, District 26

Pennsylvania State Senate District 26
Current incumbentTimothy Kearney Democratic Party
Population251,041
Ethnicity12.2% Black, 2.4% Hispanic
Voting age76.7% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's twenty-sixth state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Timothy Kearney.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 251,041 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's twenty-sixth state senate district. Pennsylvania state senators represent an average of 254,048 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 245,621 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Pennsylvania State Senate serve four-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 next 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 senate, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The Senate President must call for a special 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 State Senate 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 State Senate District 26

Timothy Kearney (D) defeated incumbent Thomas McGarrigle (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Timothy Kearney (D)
54.3
65,660

Thomas McGarrigle (R)
45.7
55,287

Total votes: 120,947
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26

Timothy Kearney defeated Tanner Rouse in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Timothy Kearney (D)
56.9
10,610

Tanner Rouse (D)
43.1
8,029

Total votes: 18,639
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26

Incumbent Thomas McGarrigle advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Thomas McGarrigle (R)
100
18,640

Total votes: 18,640

2014

BattlegroundRace.jpg
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate 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 that election was March 11, 2014. John Kane Sr. was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Thomas McGarrigle was unopposed in the Republican primary. McGarrigle defeated Kane in the general election.

The Pennsylvania State Senate was a battleground chamber that identified as having the opportunity to switch partisan control in 2014. The Pennsylvania Senate had a difference in partisan balance between Democrats and Republican of four seats, which amounts to 16 percent of the seats up for election in 2014. District 26 in the SenatePhiladelphia City Paper as a battleground district that could determine control of the Pennsylvania State Senate. Democrats had their best chance picking up a seat in District 26, where the race was open and any Democrat carried a 3-point advantage to win. Thomas McGarrigle (R) defeated John Kane Sr. (D) in that race.

Pennsylvania State Senate, District 26 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngThomas McGarrigle 52.1% 45,910
Democratic John Kane, Sr. 47.9% 42,170
Total Votes 88,080

2010

Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 18, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 9, 2010. Incumbent Ted Erickson (R) defeated Michael T. Farrell (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania State Senate, District 26, General Election, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngTed Erickson Incumbent 58.6% 54,408
Democratic Michael T. Farrell 41.4% 38,413
Total Votes 92,821

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Pennsylvania State Senate District 26 raised a total of $8,646,129. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $665,087 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania State Senate District 26

Year Amount Candidates Average
2014 $5,868,629 2 $2,934,315
2012 $215,339 1 $215,339
2010 $679,507 2 $339,754
2008 $177,230 1 $177,230
2006 $715,609 3 $238,536
2004 $125,956 1 $125,956
2002 $658,534 2 $329,267
2000 $205,325 1 $205,325
Total $8,646,129 13 $665,087