Today, two novel members joined the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Keith Harris AND Andre Carroll were elected on Tuesday.
The Democratic wins in Philadelphia’s 195th and 201st congressional districts allowed the party to maintain a one-seat majority in the state’s lower house.
Harris, the leader of the 28th Ward and a local landowner, ran unopposed for the vacancy in North Philadelphia that was created Donna Bullock’s representative resignation two months ago. Unofficially, he received 95.9 percent of the vote.
Carroll, a progressive field organizer for two Working Families Party members on the City Council, was already on the shortlist to succeed Representative Stephen Kinsey when Kinsey announced he did not plan to seek re-election last year. He also faced no opposition in Northwest Philly, receiving 98.2 percent of the vote.
Both Carroll and Harris were selected by precinct leaders in secret ballots, similar to what the Philadelphia Democratic Party does to fill vacancies.
The special election was held to fill Bullock and Kinsey’s terms, which run through the end of November. Both Harris and Carroll will be sworn in once the election results are certified by the Philadelphia City Commissioners.
Neither candidate has any opposition in the November 5 general election.
