We are closing in on the midterm elections and if Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see his dream of the Democratic trifecta in Harrisburg come true, his party will have to hold onto its majority in the state House.
Democrats currently hold a 103-100 majority in the House and are hopeful that party enthusiasm and Republican apathy could enable Dems to take their largest advantage in the chamber since 1992 when they held 105 seats.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | ’92 | ’94 | ’96 | ’98 | ’00 | ’02 | ’04 | ’06 | ’08 | ’10 | ’12 | ’14 | ’16 | ’18 | ’20 | ’22 | ’24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 105 | 101 | 99 | 100 | 99 | 94 | 93 | 102 | 104 | 91 | 93 | 84 | 82 | 93 | 92 | 102 | 102 |
| Republicans | 98 | 102 | 104 | 103 | 104 | 109 | 110 | 101 | 99 | 112 | 110 | 119 | 121 | 110 | 111 | 101 | 101 |
source: Ballotpedia
PoliticsPA has identified 19 State House races throughout the Commonwealth to focus on during the run-up to the 2026 election, as part of our 31 Races in 31 Days series.
The Key Numbers
| Incumbent | Challenger | |
|---|---|---|
| Arvind Venkat (D) | Libby Blackburn (R) | |
| McCandless | Residence | McCandless |
| B.A., Harvard University M.D., Yale University | Education | B.A., Kenyon College |
| Elected State Representative in 2022. Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine Professor, Drexel University College of Medicine | Experience | Small business owner 14 years as North Allegheny school director retired flight attendant |
| unopposed | Primary Result | write-in candidate with 2,689 votes |
| Protect the reproductive health and liberty of all Pennsylvania women. Make our healthcare system more accessible and affordable, enacting medical debt relief, reducing copayments and deductibles so that insurance actually works for families. Respect the constitutional right to own a firearm while passing legislation that reduces gun violence and saves lives in our communities. Climate change is real, it is serious, and it requires real, serious solutions. | Priorities | Common-sense fiscal discipline that focuses on our priorities and makes sure the state spends only what it has. Reduce costs and increase accessibility to quality care. Support our police and emergency responders, and bring residents and law enforcement together to meet shared goals in our community. Stand up for our local communities and address issues that matter to us — securing grant funding and making PA work for real people. |
| My district is very concerned about property tax increases and public education funding. Many in my district are property rich because home values have gone up, but cash poor because they’re on a fixed income. I have spent a lot of time focusing on making sure that the school districts I represent, Avonworth, Hampton, and North Allegheny, get their fair share of funding increases to keep up with inflation so that my community will not have to sacrifice quality of education or raise taxes. | Most Pressing Issue(s) Facing Your District | Has yet to respond |
| Voter Guide | Go Deeper | Voter Guide |
| Raised: $437,234 Spent: $316,882 Cash on Hand (8/28): $429,366 | 2026 Fundraising | Raised: N/A Spent: N/A Cash on Hand: N/A |
| I am running for reelection to the State House because we need a representative who has served our community through crises big and small and will use these experiences to advocate for everyone in the district. | Quotable | “I’m running for State Representative to make sure every family in our community still has a real shot at building a good life here at home |
| VenkatForPA.com | Campaign Website | LibbyForPA.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | | Campaign Social | Facebook | Instagram |
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Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Hampton (PART, Districts 03, 04, 05, 12 and 13), Kilbuck, McCandless and Ohio and the BOROUGHS of Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth and Franklin Park.
Allegheny County Elections Division
