State Rep. Donna Bullock will lead Project DOM and will not seek re-election

With state Republican Donna Bullock announcing that she will soon be leaving politics to lead Project HOME, Philadelphia Democrats will need to find a fresh candidate to run in her place in November.

Bullock plans to continue working in the state House as they work on the state budget this summer, and “she remains committed to representing her community during this time,” House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) said in a statement.

Bullock has not indicated whether she will resign or serve the rest of her term, which ends at the end of the year. However, her further decisions will affect the balance of power in Harrisburg.

Democrats only have a one-seat majority in the House of Representatives. Since last year, they have had to defend their majority in several special elections due to various resignations that keep the chamber suspended until vacancies are filled.

Legislators can take on additional positions, which Bullock intends to do with her Project HOME position.

“Donna is a great advocate for her community and we are fortunate to have had her as a dedicated colleague for almost a decade,” Bradford added. “She fully deserves this incredible opportunity.”

Democratic leaders in Philadelphia will have to find someone to replace her. The district’s voter base is overwhelmingly Democratic, and no Republicans filed for the seat in November.

Democratic district leaders in her district will have to choose a fresh candidate to run to replace Bullock in November. Once a candidate is selected, the Philadelphia Democratic Party will put his name on the ballot to replace Bullock’s, according to the party’s bylaws.

Bullock has represented the 195th Legislative District, which includes parts of Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Fairmount and North Philadelphia, since 2015. This year, she ran in a special election to fill the vacancy created by former Rep. Michelle Brownlee’s resignation after pleading guilty in connection with allegations of conflict of interest this year.

Brownlee, who currently leads the 29th Democratic District, said she is ecstatic for Bullock’s success but will miss working on behalf of voters in Harrisburg.

“Whoever it is will have some really big shoes to fill,” Brownlee added.

While in Harrisburg, Bullock led the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus for years and currently chairs the House Children and Youth Affairs Committee.

The Temple Beasley School of Law graduate previously worked as a special assistant to former Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke and has also served in numerous other positions on the City Council. She previously worked at Community Legal Services and the private law firm Laura Solomon & Associates.

Bullock lives in Strawberry Mansion with her husband and two sons.