Democrat Jim Prokopiak won handily over Republican Candace Cabanas in the special election for the 140th District in Lower Bucks County.
The election was called to replace former state Rep. John Galloway. Voters elected Galloway, a Democrat, to be a magistrate judge in November.
The weather may have played a role in voter turnout. Voters awoke to a winter snowstorm that dropped three inches during the morning. The snow stopped around 11 a.m. and the plows cleared the streets quickly but turnout was light at 23 percent. The 140th District includes Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, Falls Township, and part of Middletown Township.
Unofficial results with 100 percent of precincts reporting showed Prokopiak at 67 percent and Cabanas at 23 percent. The district leans Democrat.
Prokopiak, a Pennsbury School Board member and former Falls Township supervisor, is a lawyer. Cabanas has worked in the hospitality industry and in healthcare.
Galloway’s resignation tied the House at 101-101. But with the resignation of Republican Rep. Joe Adams, who represented Adams and Pike Counties, on Friday, Democrats have a 101 to 100 majority. House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) scheduled a special election for that seat on April 23, the same day as the primary.
Prokopiak was a Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Spotlight Candidate, a designation that came with a $50,000 donation to the state House Democratic Caucus. He also received endorsements from abortion rights and environmental groups. Also, Eric Holder, who served as former President Obama’s Attorney General and is now involved in an organization that pushes for redistricting, endorsed Prokopiak.
Cabanas thanked the voters “for coming out in snowy conditions and biting cold winds to vote. My deepest thanks to those who entrusted me with your votes.” She also congratulated Prokopiak and wished him well.
