DV Journal

Monday, the state House of Representatives welcomed its newest member, state Rep. Jim Prokopiak (D-Levittown).

Prokopiak won a special election last month to serve the communities of Falls Township, Tullytown, Morrisville and parts of Middletown Township. He replaces John Galloway, who was elected in November as a district judge.

“Swearing in a new member is always a special occasion in the state House of Representatives,” said Speaker Joanna McClinton  (D-Philadelphia). “As a longtime public servant, Representative Prokopiak brings with him valuable experience from his time in local government and will be a strong advocate for his neighbors in Bucks County.”

McClinton added that Prokopiak is joining the Democratic caucus at a busy time. The House returns to session having recently completed Appropriations Committee hearings that examined the initiatives in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 state budget proposal.

The $48.3 billion budget is due to be adopted by June 30.

In the coming months, the House will take up measures to reform school funding, cut costs for working families, help seniors thrive in their communities and strengthen public safety, McClinton said.

“We’ve sent more than 260 bills to the Senate so far, but we’re not done,” McClinton added. “The House will continue to advance meaningful legislation to strengthen our communities and schools, and help all Pennsylvanians thrive.”

Prokopiak served on the Falls Township Board of Supervisors from 2002-2009 and as a member of the Pennsbury School District board from 2021-2024. An attorney, Prokopiak earned his undergraduate degree at West Chester University. He then graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

He and his wife, Gail, have three children and reside in Falls Township. Prokopiak could not be reached for comment on Monday.

With the addition of Prokopiak, the state House now has 202 members. There is a vacancy in the 139th Legislative District in Pike and Wayne counties that will be filled by a special election on April 23, the same day as the state primary.

Propopiak bested Falls resident Candace Cabanas, a Republican, for the seat. Cabanas plans to run against Prokopiak again in the November election.

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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.

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Two candidates are vying on Tuesday to represent the 140th District in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. Democrat Jim Prokopiak and Republican Candace Cabanas are squaring off in a special election triggered by the resignation of John Galloway, a longtime Democratic representative who voters elected as a magistrate judge last November.

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.

The Republican and Democratic Bucks County committees then met and voted on their endorsed candidates. Whoever is selected must run again in the April 23 primary and in November to hold on to the seat.

Prokopiak is currently serving on the Pennsbury School Board. A former Falls Township supervisor, he is a lawyer.

Jim Prokopiak

“I’m running because for too many people that live in Lower Bucks County, the American Dream seems to get farther and farther away,” said Prokopiak. “You know, the cost of putting a roof over their head, paying their bills, taking care of their children’s education while trying to save for retirement and have health care. It’s a heavy burden and I think we need to do better, and I think we need to start in Harrisburg with that.”

Prokopiak is married with three children.

Cabanas, who has worked in health care and the hospitality industry, said, “I’m running because I understand firsthand the challenges faced by working families,” said Cabanas. “I know how difficult it is to raise a family and make ends meet in this economy, and I know how important it is to fight for the working-class citizens of Lower Bucks County. That’s exactly what I’ll do as your next state representative.

“In Harrisburg, I will be a vocal supporter of our police, firefighters, and first responders. Their daily sacrifices to keep our families safe are invaluable, and they deserve unwavering support and recognition for their heroic efforts.

“Drawing from my experience in home healthcare, I understand the burdens of rising healthcare costs on families. My goal is to fight for policies that make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every Pennsylvanian,” she said.

Cabanas is also married with three children.

The race has drawn the interest of national and statewide groups. Prokopiak has garnered endorsements from abortion rights and environmental groups and Eric Holder, the former attorney general under President Barack Obama, who is now involved in nationwide redistricting efforts. Prokopiak is a Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Spotlight Candidate, a designation that came with a $50,000 donation to the state House Democratic Caucus.

Cabanas was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, which donated $2,500 to her campaign.

While the Democrats hold a registration edge in the district, both parties hope to get their voters out in the face of a predicted winter storm. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The 140th District includes Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, Falls Township, and part of Middletown Township.

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Candace Cabanas, the Republican running in the special election for the 140th House District, has received the Pennsylvania Manufacturer Association’s (PMA) endorsement.

The trade association represents more than a half million employees on “our shop floors and millions of additional jobs throughout our supply chain and distribution networks,” said Executive Director Carl Marrara. Statewide, it represents the $101.95 billion manufacturing sector in public policy.

At a Wednesday press conference, Marrara said his organization favors pro-growth economic policies that “reduce the baseline costs of creating and keeping jobs in our commonwealth.”

“Job creators in the 140th District need reliable and affordable access to energy, sensible and predictable taxation, and a prepared and available workforce to be competitive, to drive down inflationary forces, and to attract new business investment to our commonwealth.”

The Democrat-controlled House “has failed to govern on these important issues,” said Marrara.

The state’s growth is stagnant, and many studies and reports rank Pennsylvania near the bottom when it comes to taxation and regulation. But its location is desirable, the workforce has a “can-do attitude,” there are many educational institutions, and “an abundance of natural resources.”

Cabanas will focus on pro-growth policies, he said.

“She’ll be the friend job creators in this district need,” he said.

Cabanas said she would also be the listening ear in Harrisburg that residents need. She pointed to all the problems facing the U.S. under President Joe Biden, including inflation, the border crisis, and homelessness.

“Even Gov. (Josh) Shapiro has recognized businesses are struggling to stay in Pennsylvania under a tax program that’s not competitive with neighboring states,” Cabanas said. “This, in turn, creates an out-migration of businesses and working-age residents that is impacting our struggling communities.”

“To add to that struggle, Pennsbury School Board directors decided we need a new school,” said Cabanas, a mother who has worked in health care and the restaurant industry. “And they’re passing that burden off to the taxpayers here. We now have a 4.1 percent tax increase.

“I want our education assets being used to the greatest advantage of our students,” she added. She wants to see better coordination between the school district, workforce training, and technical schools. She also favors school choice.

“We have to get creative,” she said. “We have to have a better budget. No one bails the average citizen out. And I want to speak up for that citizen who is struggling to keep their gas tank full and to keep meals on the table for their family.”

PMA donated $2,500 to Cabanas’ campaign, said Marrara, who noted the Lower Bucks County area was founded on manufacturing. A Google search showed at least 35 manufacturers in Falls Township alone.

PMA endorses around a dozen candidates in each election cycle, he said.

Jim Thompson, a retired union carpenter who has lived in Falls Township for 70 years, was at Puss N Boots in Fairless Hills to support Cabanas.

“I hate politics,” said Thompson. “But I’m not happy with what’s going on. I blame Doylestown (county government). Maybe the corruption has always been there, but to me, it’s stinking.”

State Reps. Kristin Marcell (R-Richboro) and Joe Hogan (R-Feasterville) came out to support Cabanas as well.

The race for the 140th, which includes Falls Township and part of Middletown Township, is being widely watched because the House is now tied 101-101. A vacancy arose when former Rep. John Galloway (D-Levittown) was elected as a district justice in November.

Democrat Jim Prokopiak, a lawyer, Pennsbury school board member, and former Falls Township supervisor, is Cabanas’ opponent in the Feb. 13 special election. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee named Prokopiak its first “spotlight candidate of 2024” and donated $50,000 to the House Democratic Caucus. A chunk of that money will likely bolster Prokopiak’s campaign.

Although the district leans Democrat, Cabanas said she’s been working hard to convince voters to vote for her and knocking on doors to meet people. She said many Democrats and independents she has talked to are fed up with Biden’s policies and are ready to vote Republican.

Cabanas said, “I ask that you trust me to speak up for those residents’ concerns down here and work hard to find the right solution. I pledge to do everything in my power to represent our working-class values and make middle-class priorities front and center as I represent the community in Harrisburg.”

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The Bucks County Election Board, chaired by Commissioner Bob Harvie (D), voted on Jan. 25 to change six polling places for the Feb. 13 special election for the 140th state House seat.

However, Bucks County authorities did not inform candidates of the changes, said Republican candidate Candace Cabanas.

“The county commissioners changed several Middletown poll locations on Jan. 25, 2024. We are having to scramble to contact Middletown residents. I only found out about it (Sunday) through a volunteer who was contacted by a resident,” Cabanas told DVJournal.

A spokesperson for Democrat James Prokopiak did not respond to requests for comment.

Civil rights advocates sometimes view last-second changes to polling locations or election policies as a form of voter suppression.

“Anything that disrupts voter habits will diminish turnout,” Donald P. Green, a professor of political science at Columbia University, told The New York Times. “Changes about location and day and format all have a disruptive effect.”

During the election board meeting, Harvie said some polling sites were moved back to their original locations in Neshaminy School District schools after the county promised the district additional security. Harvie did not specify the reasons for the other changes. And county spokesman James O’Malley did not respond when asked why the campaigns were not notified about the changes.

The special election will tip the balance of the state House, which is now tied at 101 Democrats to 101 Republicans. It was called because John Galloway, the former longtime state representative, was elected to a district justice seat and stepped down.

Prokopiak, a lawyer, is a Pennsbury School Board member and former Falls Township supervisor.

“I’m running because for too many people who live in Lower Bucks County, the American Dream seems to get farther and farther away,” he said. “You know, the cost of putting a roof over their head, paying their bills, taking care of their children’s education while trying to save for retirement and have health care. It’s a heavy burden and I think we need to do better, and I think we need to start in Harrisburg with that.”

Cabanas, a first-time candidate, is a Falls Township native who has worked in health care and the restaurant industry.

“I’m running because I understand firsthand the challenges faced by working families,” said Cabanas. “I know how difficult it is to raise a family and make ends meet in this economy, and I know how important it is to fight for the working-class citizens of Lower Bucks County. That’s exactly what I’ll do as your next state representative.

“In Harrisburg, I will be a vocal supporter of our police, firefighters, and first responders,” she said. “Their daily sacrifices to keep our families safe are invaluable, and they deserve unwavering support and recognition for their heroic efforts.”

She told DVJournal in a podcast that she is a working-class person. Prokopiak has also been invited to be a DVJ podcast guest.

Although the district leans Democratic, the key to winning will be turnout.

Just weeks before the special election, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee sent $50,000 to the House Democratic Caucus. The DLCC also named Prokopiak its first “spotlight candidate” for 2024.

The special election will be held Feb. 13.

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The Feb. 13 special election to replace former Rep. John Galloway is now teed up. The Bucks County Democrats selected Jim Prokopiak as their candidate.

Prokopiak will square off against Republican Candace Cabanas.

“We are excited to announce that Jim Prokopiak will be the Democratic nominee for the Special Election in HD-140. Jim is a former Falls Township supervisor and current Pennsbury School Board member who has been a champion of Lower Bucks County his entire career,” the Bucks Democrats said on X (formerly Twitter).

“I’m running because for too many people that live in Lower Bucks County, the American Dream seems to get farther and farther away,” said Prokopiak. “You know, the cost of putting a roof over their head, paying their bills, taking care of their children’s education while trying to save for retirement and have health care. It’s a heavy burden and I think we need to do better, and I think we need to start in Harrisburg with that.”

Prokopiak is a lawyer, who is a solo practitioner. He also works with Jacobs Engineering with site acquisition for leasing and zoning for telecommunications companies. He’s a graduate of West Chester University and Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Prokopiak has been a member of the Pennsbury School Board for the last two-and-a-half years. Before that he served as a supervisor in Falls Township.

Propokiak and his wife, Gail, have three children in the Pennsbury School District, a 16-year-old son, and 14-year-old twin daughters. He’s lived in Levittown for 30 years.

Propokiak hopes to work on education issues if he’s elected to the House.

Propokiak cited a decision by a Commonwealth Court judge that said the state is not funding its public schools unconstitutional.

“The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that we fund public education,” said Propokiak. “And I think over the years, we’ve gotten away from that and we have to look at changing the way we fund public education, in terms of the way we distribute money and that type of stuff. And that’s the Commonwealth Court’s decision that has said that we’re not, Pennsylvania has not constitutionally funded its mandate.”

Propokiak is also interested in helping workers get the right education.

“One of the reasons I’m so pro-education and for lifelong education is…when we create a skilled workforce, it’s easier to attract quality jobs to our community. And certainly, Labor and Industry would be one committee I’d be interested in,” said Propokiak said. “Because good paying jobs in the community create opportunities for people, not just to pay their bills but to have affordable healthcare and a path to retirement. And those are the jobs we’re looking for.”

The 140th District, which includes Falls Township, part of Middletown Township, Morrisville and Tullytown.

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The Bucks County Republican Executive Committee kast Thursday nominated Falls Township resident Candace Cabanas as the Republican candidate in the special election in the 140th Legislative District.

That seat is open because former Rep. John Galloway (D-Levittown) was elected as a district justice and resigned last week. His departure leaves the House evenly split between the parties until a special election can be held on February 13, 2024.

“We are proud to nominate Candace as the Republican candidate in this critical election,” said Bucks County GOP Chair Pat Poprik. “Candace shares the values of the working families in this community, understands their needs, and is ready on day one to be a fighter for their priorities.”

“I’m running because I understand firsthand the challenges faced by working families,” said Cabanas. “I know how difficult it is to raise a family and make ends meet in this economy, and I know how important it is to fight for the working-class citizens of Lower Bucks County. That’s exactly what I’ll do as your next state representative.

“In Harrisburg, I will be a vocal supporter of our police, firefighters, and first responders. Their daily sacrifices to keep our families safe are invaluable, and they deserve unwavering support and recognition for their heroic efforts.

“Drawing from my experience in home healthcare, I understand the burdens of rising healthcare costs on families. My goal is to fight for policies that make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every Pennsylvanian.

“Finally, I believe that every student is entitled to a high-quality education that equips them for a rapidly changing economy. I am dedicated to securing our community’s rightful share of education funding, giving our students the tools they need for future success,” Cabanas concluded.

Under the Bucks County Republican Committee’s bylaws, the more than 100 Executive Committee members vote to nominate a candidate for a special election. They represent the Republican committeemen and committeewomen from across Bucks County.

Although former Falls Township Supervisor Joan Graves had announced she was running, she did not obtain the party’s nomination and will, therefore, not be on the ballot, Poprik explained.

“It’s not like a primary,” she said. “The party selects the candidate.”

Several Democrats have also announced they are vying for the position. They include Galloway’s former chief-of-staff Melanie Bidlingmaier, former Eagles cheerleader Donna Petrecco, and Pennsbury School Board Member Jim Pokopiak.

The Bucks County Democratic Party will select its candidate.