Philadelphia Democrats fill state House vacancies unopposed

On November 5, Philadelphia voters participated in special elections to fill two vacant seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The vacancies arose after the resignations of Representatives Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey in mid-July. Bullock accepted a position with Project HOME, a nonprofit focused on homelessness, while Kinsey expedited his departure to pursue another job, having not intended to run for reelection. Keith Harris, a 63-year-old Democratic ward leader and community activist, is running to succeed Bullock, while 33-year-old Andre Carroll, who has experience in city and state government, is vying for Kinsey's seat. Both candidates are the only names on the ballot, indicating a lack of opposition in the elections. The districts they represent are characterized by a strong Democratic voter base, with Harris's district located in the northern part of Philadelphia and Carroll's in the northwest, which is noted for being older and less affluent compared to the state average. The Pennsylvania House currently holds a narrow Democratic majority of 102-101, which includes the seats left vacant by Bullock and Kinsey. The outcome of these elections will not only fill the vacancies but also maintain the Democratic majority in the House, as both candidates are expected to secure full two-year terms without opposition.