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Pennsylvania, State House, District 159

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159
Current incumbentBrian Kirkland Democratic Party
Population55,766
Ethnicity55.9% Black, 6.1% Hispanic
Voting age72.4% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-ninth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Brian Kirkland.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 55,766 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and fifty-ninth 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 159

Incumbent Brian Kirkland (D) defeated Ruth Moton (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Brian Kirkland (D)
76.4
13,532

Ruth Moton (R)
23.6
4,169

Total votes: 17,701
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159

Incumbent Brian Kirkland advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Brian Kirkland (D)
100
2,146

Total votes: 2,146
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159

Ruth Moton advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Ruth Moton (R)
100
1,418

Total votes: 1,418

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 Thaddeus Kirkland (D) did not seek re-election.

Brian Kirkland defeated Michael Ciach in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Brian Kirkland 75.60% 18,161
Republican Michael Ciach 24.40% 5,860
Total Votes 24,021
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Brian Kirkland ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 159 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Brian Kirkland (unopposed)

Michael Ciach ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 159 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Michael Ciach (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 Thaddeus Kirkland was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Michael Ciach was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kirkland defeated Ciach in the general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngThaddeus Kirkland Incumbent 70.5% 9,281
Republican Michael Ciach 29.5% 3,881
Total Votes 13,162

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 159 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngThaddeus Kirkland Incumbent 70.5% 9,281
Republican Michael Ciach 29.5% 3,881
Total Votes 13,162

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 Thaddeus Kirkland (D) defeated James Schiliro (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 159, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngThaddeus Kirkland Incumbent 79.8% 17,535
Republican James Schiliro 20.2% 4,435
Total Votes 21,970

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159 raised a total of $779,405. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $41,021 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 159

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $25,272 2 $12,636
2014 $124,437 2 $62,219
2012 * $111,511 2 $55,756
2010 $107,066 3 $35,689
2008 $76,105 2 $38,053
2006 $78,013 2 $39,007
2004 $82,583 2 $41,292
2002 $118,446 2 $59,223
2000 $55,972 2 $27,986
Total $779,405 19 $41,021
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.