Primary results spell the end for four PA House incumbents

Dozens of seats in the General Assembly were on the ballot Tuesday, with a number of them poised to help determine which party will win control of the state House and state Senate in November. With well over 200 races on the ballot between both chambers of the General Assembly, a few incumbents found themselves in danger of losing their seats on Election Day. 

Here are some of the most consequential and eye-opening results involving incumbent lawmakers from the primary:

22nd House District

Just a few months into her career as a state lawmaker, Democratic state Rep. Ana Tiburcio faced a primary challenge from Allentown City Councilmember Ce-Ce Gerlach, who previously served for eight years on the Allentown School Board. Tiburcio was elected to the state House in a February special election to replace Josh Siegel, who later endorsed Gerlach in the Democratic primary. Unofficial results showed Gerlach with a 56% to 44% lead over Tiburcio on election night, with Gerlach declaring victory late Tuesday night, according to LehighValleyNews.com.

50th House District

Incumbent Republican state Rep. Donald “Bud” Cook, who has served in the state House since 2017, faced a primary challenge this year from Benjamin Humble, a flooring specialist who also serves as the president of Waynesburg Borough Council and is a volunteer firefighter. During his time in office, Cook led a “Come Home, Go Big and Have a Ball” initiative and sponsored legislation that would bar public officials from lobbying if they’re convicted of a crime. Humble, meanwhile, supports creating a state-level Department of Government Efficiency and establishing stricter voter ID measures. Humble held a double-digit lead over Cook on election night, according to unofficial returns from Greene and Washington counties, with 100% of precincts reporting. 

166th House District

Democratic state Rep. Greg Vitali, who has represented the 166th House District since 1993, faced a primary challenge this year from Judy Trombetta, president of the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners. Vitali is known for his focus on environmental policy and support for efforts to combat climate change; he has served on the House Environmental & Natural Resources Committee for 31 years. Trombetta, per her campaign website, wants to fully fund and strengthen public education, protect the environment, and would support efforts to protect reproductive rights and establish paid family leave in Pennsylvania. According to unofficial election returns from Delaware County, Trombetta is poised to beat Vitali in Tuesday’s primary: she held a 62% to 38% lead with 47 of 47 precincts reporting.

195th House District

Democratic state Rep. Keith Harris faced two challengers: social worker Sierra McNeil and Kenneth Walker Jr., a former public school teacher and assistant program manager for the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Public Safety. Harris has represented the 195th House District since 2024. During his time in office, Harris has sponsored legislation to increase penalties for littering and dumping, as well as a bill requiring school districts to notify parents and guardians when their child is involved in incidents on school property. McNeil, according to her campaign website, vowed to fight for equitable education funding, job readiness and apprenticeship programs and accessible public transit. Walker’s site stated that he will fund and strengthen public schools, create youth programs and work to improve neighborhood safety. On Election Day, McNeil secured more than 50% of the vote, leading over both Harris and Walker per unofficial election results.