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Pennsylvania, State House, District 51

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51
Current incumbentMatthew Dowling Republican Party
Population56,731
Ethnicity4.3% Black, 0.5% Hispanic
Voting age79.4% age 18 and over

Pennsylvania's fifty-first state house district is represented by Republican Representative Matthew Dowling.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 56,731 civilians reside within Pennsylvania's fifty-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 51

Incumbent Matthew Dowling (R) defeated Timothy Mahoney (D) in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Matthew Dowling (R)
55.5
10,773

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Timothy Mahoney (D)
44.5
8,650

Total votes: 19,423
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51

Timothy Mahoney advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Timothy Mahoney (D)
100
2,811

Total votes: 2,811
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51

Incumbent Matthew Dowling advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Matthew Dowling (R)
100
2,558

Total votes: 2,558

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.

Matthew Dowling defeated incumbent Tim Mahoney in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 general election.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51, General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Matthew Dowling 53.07% 13,318
Democratic Tim Mahoney Incumbent 46.93% 11,779
Total Votes 25,097
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

Incumbent Tim Mahoney ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 Democratic primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 51 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Tim Mahoney Incumbent (unopposed)
Matthew Dowling ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 51 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Matthew Dowling (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 Tim Mahoney was unopposed in the Democratic primary and 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 Tim Mahoney (D) defeated Gary Gearing (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 51, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTim Mahoney Incumbent 63.4% 12,799
Republican Gary Gearing 36.6% 7,400
Total Votes 20,199

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51 raised a total of $1,578,471. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $68,629 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 51

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $391,130 2 $195,565
2014 $137,147 1 $137,147
2012 * $84,774 2 $42,387
2010 $75,970 1 $75,970
2008 $182,066 3 $60,689
2006 $390,621 5 $78,124
2004 $219,023 5 $43,805
2002 $80,990 3 $26,997
2000 $16,750 1 $16,750
Total $1,578,471 23 $68,629
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.