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Pennsylvania, State House, District 177

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177
Current incumbentJoseph Hohenstein Democratic Party
Population62,990
Ethnicity13.2% Black, 20.1% Hispanic
Voting age73.2% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's one hundred and seventy-seventh state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Joseph Hohenstein.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 62,990 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's one hundred and seventy-seventh 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 177

Joseph Hohenstein (D) defeated Patty Kozlowski (R) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Joseph Hohenstein (D)
59.4
11,436

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Patty Kozlowski (R)
40.6
7,808

Total votes: 19,244
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177

Joseph Hohenstein defeated Margaret Borski, Sean Kilkenny, and Daniel Martino in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Joseph Hohenstein (D)
37.3
1,690

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Margaret Borski (D)
23.9
1,084

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Sean Kilkenny (D)
23.8
1,081

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Daniel Martino (D)
15.0
678

Total votes: 4,533
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177

Patty Kozlowski advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Patty Kozlowski (R)
100
1,541

Total votes: 1,541

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 John Taylor defeated Joseph Hohenstein in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png John Taylor Incumbent 55.15% 14,128
Democratic Joseph Hohenstein 44.85% 11,491
Total Votes 25,619
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Joseph Hohenstein ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 177 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Joseph Hohenstein (unopposed)

Incumbent John Taylor ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 177 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png John Taylor Incumbent (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 John Taylor was unopposed in the Republican primary. Taylor was unchallenged in the general election.

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 John Taylor (R) defeated William Dunbar (D) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 177, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Taylor Incumbent 56.7% 12,249
Democratic William Dunbar 43.3% 9,336
Total Votes 21,585

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177 raised a total of $3,188,976. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $212,598 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 177

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $732,609 2 $366,305
2014 $382,807 1 $382,807
2012 * $316,765 2 $158,383
2010 $238,431 1 $238,431
2008 $287,861 2 $143,931
2006 $357,504 2 $178,752
2004 $300,371 1 $300,371
2002 $401,995 2 $200,998
2000 $170,633 2 $85,317
Total $3,188,976 15 $212,598
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.