Democrats Keith Harris and Andre Carroll won hands down special elections in two Philadelphia state House of Representatives districts on Tuesday, according to unofficial results, meaning Democrats will maintain a one-seat majority in the state’s lower house.
Harris and Carroll each received about 3,100 votes in the 195th and 201st legislative district elections, according to election results released by the Pennsylvania Department of State. The results are unofficial until they are certified by Philadelphia election officials and the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Former Rep. Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia) resigned from her seat in the 195th Legislative District to become CEO of the homeless nonprofit Project HOME. Bullock has represented the 195th Legislative District since 2016.
Former Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Philadelphia) announced in January that the current legislative session would be his last. Kinsey has served as state representative for the 201st Legislative District since 2013.
Both officially resigned in July. Their northwest Philadelphia districts were considered secure for Democrats, who have a 102-seat majority in the House of Representatives that the caucus has maintained through a series of special elections this session.
The House is scheduled to return to session on September 23, but votes will not take place until October 1.
According to his campaign website, Harris began his community activism in 1984 with a Philadelphia anti-graffiti organization and served as 28th Ward leader and Philadelphia City Council sergeant at arms.
Carroll says on his campaign website that he was raised by his grandmother because his father was incarcerated and his mother struggled with substance abuse. The lessons his grandmother taught him about strenuous work, perseverance and recognizing opportunity motivated him to finish school, earn a degree while working full time and become a teacher in the public school system.
(This article was updated at 3:55 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 to include information on the certification of election results)
