A special election was held on May 21, 2019, to fill the remainder of the term for in the United States House of Representatives for the 116th United States Congress. Tom Marino, a Republican, resigned from office effective January 23.

Background As a result of the 2018 elections, Pennsylvania's House delegation to the 116th U.S. Congress took office in early January 2019 with a tie of 9 Republicans and 9 Democrats.

Republican Tom Marino, the incumbent representative for , announced his resignation effective January 23, 2019. By state law, Governor Tom Wolf was required to call for a special election at least 60 days after the seat became vacant. Wolf set the election for May 21. Primary elections were not held in the race. Instead, nominees were chosen by each party. Republicans selected their nominee on March 2.

Republican conferee meeting Candidates Nominee Fred Keller, state representative

Defeated at the convention Jessica Bowman-Hosley, professor Malcolm Derk, former Snyder County commissioner Kevin Ferrara, veteran Stacy Garrity, businesswoman Davis C. Haire, doctor Chris Hoffman, vice president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Matthew McDermott Doug McLinko, Bradford County commissioner and candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in 2018 Patrick Miller, law student Maria Montero Joseph Moralez, vice president of a statewide nursing agency Robert Noerr, former National Debate Tournament qualifier Joseph Peters, former state deputy attorney general and candidate for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district in 2018

Withdrawn Christopher Bain James Canning, businessman and constable Gerald Carlin, businessman Brian Fuller, activist Bobby Jeffries Dale McElhattan Chuck Risio Matthew Timm Jeff Wheeland, state representative Matthew Zeigler, lawyer

Declined to run Lou Barletta, former U.S. Representative and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 Jake Corman, majority leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate Keith Eckel, former president of the State Farm Bureau Jonathan Fritz, state representative Davis C. Haire Sandra Major, former state representative Tony Mussare, Lycoming County commissioner Michael Peifer, state representative Mario Scavello, state senator Jeff Stroehmann, businessman Dave Weber, district director for outgoing U.S. Representative Tom Marino Eugene Yaw, state senator

Democratic selection According to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Marc Friedenberg, the Democratic nominee for the district in 2018, was the only individual who submitted an application to be the nominee. Therefore, the convention was cancelled, and the party declared Friedenberg the nominee on February 12.

General election Endorsements

Debates Dates LocationKellerFriedenberg LinkMay 2, 2019Luzerne CountyParticipantParticipant

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2019Candidate (party)Total receiptsTotal disbursementsCash on handFred Keller (R)$662,214.65 $521,614.93 $140,599.72 Marc Friedenberg (D)$209,045.81$230,037.21 $81,108.15Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

By county County Fred KellerRepublican Marc FriedenbergDemocratic Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % Bradford 7,133 70.5% 2,985 29.5% 4,148 41.0% 10,118 Centre (part) 4,769 33.8% 9,360 66.2% -4,591 32.4% 14,129 Clinton 4,235 62.6% 2,534 37.4% 1,701 25.2% 6,769 Juniata 3,557 77.5% 1,033 22.5% 2,524 55.0% 4,590 Lycoming 20,493 73.7% 7,309 26.3% 13,184 47.4% 27,802 Mifflin 4,524 75.3% 1,484 24.7% 3,040 50.6% 6,008 Northumberland (part) 7,078 73.5% 2,558 26.5% 4,520 47.0% 9,636 Perry 6,037 74.5% 2,071 25.5% 3,966 49.0% 8,108 Potter 2,744 76.2% 856 23.8% 1,888 42.4% 3,600 Snyder 6,288 78.4% 1,729 21.6% 4,559 56.8% 8,017 Sullivan 1,142 67.2% 557 32.8% 585 34.4% 1,699 Susquehanna 5,780 68.9% 2,606 31.1% 3,174 37.8% 8,386 Tioga 6,057 73.8% 2,145 26.2% 3,912 47.6% 8,202 Union 6,151 66.9% 3,049 33.1% 3,102 33.8% 9,200 Wyoming 4,012 67.6% 1,919 32.4% 2,093 35.2% 5,931Totals90,00068.1%42,19531.9%47,80536.2%132,195

See also List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives

References

External links Official campaign websites Marc Friedenberg (D) for Congress Fred Keller (R) for Congress