PA Democrats hold onto the PA House after Frank Burns wins reelection in deep-red district

PA House Democrats were able to pull off the unthinkable and hold onto the PA House by a 102-101 majority following Tuesday’s election results. 

It appears that Democrats are going to hold onto the Pennsylvania House by a slim, one-seat majority after State Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) wins another term in his deep red, Republican-leaning district.

Burns, who was first elected to the Pennsylvania House in 2010, has been able to hold onto his House seat even though Donald Trump carried the Cambria County district by more than 30% of the vote in the previous three elections.

“Our Democratic majority has been delivering for the people of Pennsylvania over the past two years, and voters showed up for us,” PA House Democratic Campaign Committee (PAHDCC) Executive Director Madeline Zann said in a statement. 

“This was a tough election, but our incumbents proved they have the confidence of their constituents. They are focused on the needs of their districts and the people of Pennsylvania. This majority is the people’s majority because voters trust them to deliver results. I look forward to seeing how our majority builds on its accomplishments for the people of Pennsylvania in the coming years.” 

Burns was able to hold onto the seat thanks to an influx of cash from the Pennsylvania House Democrats’ campaign arm, according to Spotlight PA. 

The PA HDCC poured over $3.4 million into holding Burns’ seat while the Commonwealth Leadership Fund, which is funded by Pennsylvania’s richest billionaire, Jeffrey Yass, only spent $885,000 on his opponent. 

Democrats took the Pennsylvania House for the first time in over a decade in 2022 with a 102-101 majority, making House Speaker Joanna McClinton the first female and second Black speaker in Pennsylvania’s history.